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

STAFF PRESENT

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment
Lisa Urbani, Supervisor, Environment Initiatives
Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist
Heliya Babazadeh-Oleghi, Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Catherine Nguyen-Pham, Communications Coordinator
Samantha DiIorio, Environmental Assistant
Jacqueline Hunter, Transportation Demand Coordinator
David Ferreira, Manager, City Marketing and Planning
Melanie Zakarian, Data Scientist, Smart City
Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator


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

That the order of the October 6, 2020 Environmental Action Committee Agenda be amended to have Public Question Period follow Item 5.2 on the agenda and that the Smart City Challenge verbal update be added under Information Items.

Approved, as amended (Councillor Carlson)

Note: The meeting order was amended. Item 5.2 was followed by Item 6: Public Question Period and then back to Item 5.3. The minutes below reflect the order of the agenda.

Councillor Dasko joined the meeting at 9:35am. 

David Ferreira, Manager, City Marketing and Planning

 

Mr. Ferreira presented the 2019 Citizen Satisfaction Survey by providing a summary on the key findings, which included the results for overall satisfaction and quality of life, the value for taxes, communication and citizen engagement as well as a number of city services and departments.  Mr. Ferreira highlighted that 82% of residents think that the City's air, water and land quality is great and that there was been an increase satisfaction regarding the City protecting the environment.

 

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

  • Inquired if the Environmental questions will be rephrased to include a reference to the City’s adoption of the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP);
  • Inquired if the demographics are reflective of the community as whole, such as capturing the younger audience; and
  • Suggested moving the Citizen Satisfaction Survey to online basis to capture the younger demographics.

 

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

  • Collects feedback from participants to identify if the survey requires expansion in certain sectors. Any current questions rephrased would break the data trend; therefore an added question would be preferred over rephrasing current questions in order to retain existing data and to include new information.
  • The Citizen Satisfaction Survey is conducted via telephone through landline numbers only to ensure the residents participating reside in Mississauga. Staff that conducts the survey asks to speak to youngest member of the household to ensure there is enough of a sample size in the cohort.
  • Conducting the survey via mobile phones presents the challenge that the individual may not be a Mississauga resident. Conducting the survey online is a viable alternative, however those with lower socio-economic backgrounds may not have access to the online option.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0015-2020
    Moved ByC. Suleiman

    That the deputation and associated presentation by David Ferreira, Manager, City Marketing and Planning regarding the Citizen Satisfaction Survey be received. 

    Received

Jacqueline Hunter, Transportation Demand Coordinator

 

Ms. Hunter presented on the Pedestrian Master Plan. The scope of the project entails reviewing the existing pedestrian network, updating pedestrian related policies and programs as well as reviewing and updating pedestrian infrastructure design standards. The goal of the master plan is make walking safer and comfortable, creating accessible and connected sidewalks and trials, encouraging active and healthy lifestyles through walking and to increase walking overall. The project timeline started in December 2019 with an end date for early 2021.

 

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

  • Inquired if dotted lines can be put into place to lead to surrounding green spaces to indicate nearby parks and trails;
  • Inquired if the standards will include the type of measures that will be put into place when construction occurs;
  • Inquired about pedestrian buttons; and
  • Suggested a live traffic system that can be updated daily online to indicate current sites under constructions and alternate routes.

 

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

  • Surface indicators to surrounding green spaces are being considered.
  • Blocked pedestrian pathways due to construction have required regulations to adhere to, to ensure the proper signage is put in place.
  • During the pandemic lockdown, a street timing system for the pedestrian buttons was put into place.
  • The City of Mississauga currently has an online map in place that displays the constructions sites, however this does not include live updates or project timelines.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0016-2020
    Moved ByC. Dalton

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Jacqueline Hunter, Transportation Demand Coordinator regarding the Pedestrian Master Plan be received.

    Received

Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist

 

Ms. Barry presented on the Green Fleet and Equipment Policy. She provided a brief background and context regarding electric vehicles, policy overview and timelines. She further noted the connection to sustainable procurement, green fleet, the idling by-law, the Operators Training Program and accomplishing the targets set out in the Climate Change Action Plan. The purpose of the policy is to display the City's commitment to climate change, provide direction, to manage reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to identify roles and responsibilities. The timeline focuses on asset acquisition, optimizing current operations and next steps.

 

Chelsea Dalton inquired if E-Assist bikes, trikes and golf carts are included under green fleet and in outlined in the corporate policy. Ms. Barry responded by noting that the policy includes all fleet and equipment.  Ms. Dalton noted the benefits of E-assist cargo bikes in relation to idling and maneuvering through the downtown core traffic.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0017-2020
    Moved ByA. Casselman

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist regarding the Green Fleet and Equipment Policy be received.

    Received

Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist

 

Ms. Barry presented on the Home Energy Retrofits Program, which is a funding opportunity with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to design a home retrofit program. The City of Mississauga in partnership with City of Brampton and Town of Caledon will be submitting a funding application to complete a design study in 2021. The benefits of the program are value for the homeowners, climate action, economic recovery and community resiliency. The City's proposition is a Home Retrofit Program that can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while creating economic development and job creation, addressing energy poverty and social equity concerns and neighbourhood revitalization.

 

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

  • Inquired if the retrofit program will be extended to include businesses;
  • Inquired if the GHG reductions that have been linked to tree absorption have been captured;
  • Inquired if the City would help alleviate the upfront cost of hiring a contractor under the PACE model;
  • Inquired how to include the rental/condo market; and
  • Inquired if the retrofit would include implementing rain gardens, stormwater aspects, etc.

 

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

  • Currently the initiative is solely focused on homes, however further down the road may include business retrofits.
  • The challenge with capturing the tree absorption GHG reduction is how the GHG is calculated. The methodology tracks the GHG emissions and does not have the ability to account for the absorption from trees.
  • FCM offers grant programs that may be help with the upfront costs.
  • The program will prioritize buildings that produce more GHG emissions, such as older homes and focuses on single occupancy residences, which does not include rentals. Multi-occupancy residences can be determined through the feasibility and design studies to potential expand on later.
  • The goal is to keep the scope narrow for the study and once an established success has occurred, other retrofit aspects may be included.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0018-2020
    Moved ByM. Kramer

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist regarding the Home Energy Retrofits Program be received. 

    Received

Pujita Verma, EAC Citizen Member

 

Ms. Verma spoke to this item noting that this Adopt-A-Park Litter Clean-up has been scheduled for Saturday October 17, 2020 at 10AM at R.K. McMillian Park (Ward 1). She further noted items that will be provided, required items to be brought to the clean up as well as the documentation that needs to be review and signed prior to the clean-up date.


Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment noted that those planning to attend will need to registered through EventBrite in order for staff to track the amount of people. Ms. Zimmerman further noted that this park is the same location where staff tested the COVID protocols.

 

Melanie Kramer, EAC Group Representative inquired if bathrooms would be available on site. Councillor Dasko responded by noting the washrooms on site are open to the public.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0019-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Pujita Verma, EAC Citizen Member regarding EAC's October Litter Clean-Up be received. 

    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 Friday, October 2, 2020 before 4:00 PM.

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.

Jonathan Giggs, Resident expressed his concern surrounding the implementation of the Pedestrian Master Plan.  Mr. Giggs raised the concern that the environmental benefits of the Pedestrian Master Plan may be sacrificed due local residents concerns regarding perceived increased travel times, increased crime rates and personal safety from the installation of new pedestrian crossings and trails.  Jacqueline Hunter, Transportation Demand Coordinator responded by noting that the Pedestrian Master Plan will identify gaps in the pedestrian network.  Individual project may be subject of public consultation during implementation if required.

No discussion took place. 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0020-2020
    Moved ByB. McKee

    That the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed at the October 6, 2020 EAC meeting.

    Approved

Lisa Urbani, Supervisor, Environmental Initiatives on behalf of Melanie Zakarian, Data Scientist, Smart City provided a verbal update on the Smart City Challenge.  Ms. Urbani noted the challenge will take place between October 5 to 30, 2020, where students will only use publicly available open data and software provided to explore either health or climate change or transportation to present their understanding on the City’s social economic resilience during the new normal of COVID-19.  Members of EAC are invited if interested to attend the industry presentations and the closing awards session.

 

Pujita Verma, EAC Member inquired if the Climate Change topic should have EAC representation.  Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist responded by noting that she is listed as mentor for one of the teams presenting on Climate Change and will ensure the interests of EAC are represented.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0021-2020
    Moved ByP. Verma

    That the verbal update by Lisa Urbani, Supervisor, Environmental Initiatives on behalf of Melanie Zakarian, Data Scientist, Smart City regarding the Smart City Challenge be received.

    Received

Alice Casselman, EAC Group Representative provided an update on Project Crossroads inviting Committee members to attend a virtual tree planting in the Bramelea SNAP (Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program) areas on October 7 from 9am to 2pm and on October 17 as well as October 24 2020 from 10am to 12pm.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - 9:30am - Online Video Conference

11:31AM (Councillor Carlson)

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