02 - November 3, 2020 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutesrv�"YUl)i)f)f///C
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Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee
Date: November 3, 2020
Time: 10.00 a.m.
Location: WebEx
Attendees: Dave Mennill, Warden
Grant Jones, Councillor (Chair)
Sally Martyn, Councillor
Robert Braam, Community Member
Sarah Emons, Community Member
Michaela Lenz, Community Member
Ray Price, Community Member
Kim Smale, Community Member (Vice Chair)
Staff: Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer
Katherine Thompson, Supervisor of Legislative Services and
Community Relations
Carolyn Krahn, Legislative Services Coordinator
Megan Shannon, Legislative Services Coordinator
Facilitator: Jennifer Kirkham, Mischevious Cat Productions Inc.
Regrets: Primrose Kisuule, Community Member
Brian Lima, Director of Engineering Services
Nancy Pasato, Manager of Planning
MINUTES
1. Call to Order
The Environmental Advisory Committee Orientation Session met this 3rd day of
November, 2020. The meeting was called to order at 10.05 a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Councillor Martyn
Seconded by: Councillor Jones
Resolved that the agenda be approved as presented.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
Councillor Sally Martyn
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Warden Mennill
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of October 7, 2020 Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Martyn
Seconded by: Councillor Jones
Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting be adopted.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
Councillor Sally Martyn
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Warden Mennill
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
4. Election of Chair
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The Warden called for nominations for the position of Chair. Councillor Martyn
nominated Councillor Jones. Councillor Jones accepted the nomination. No
further nominations were received and a vote was called to acclaim Councillor
Jones as Chair.
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Resolved that nominations for the position of Chair be closed and that Councillor
Jones be acclaimed as Chair.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
Councillor Sally Martyn
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Warden Mennill
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
5. Election of Vice Chair
The Chair called for nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Warden Mennill
nominated Councillor Martyn. Councillor Jones nominated Kim Smale. Kim
Smale accepted the nomination. Councillor Martyn withdrew her nomination to
allow for Kim Smale to serve as Vice Chair. No further nominations were
received and a vote was called to acclaim Kim Smale as Vice Chair.
Resolved that nominations for the position of Chair be closed and Kim Smale be
acclaimed as Vice Chair.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
Councillor Sally Martyn
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Warden Mennill
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
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6. Developing an Action Plan —Facilitated Discussion
Jennifer Kirkham facilitated the development of an action plan to develop a
program that identifies ways to reduce the County's environmental footprint.
(attached).
7. Correspondence — Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign Letter
Moved by: Warden Mennill
Seconded by: Michaela Lenz
Resolved that the letter be received and filed; and, that the Chair, on behalf of
the Environmental Advisory Committee, be directed to send a letter to Elgin
County Council, expressing concerns about implementing a lawn sign road
safety campaign.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
Councillor Sally Mart n
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Warden Mennill
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
8. Correspondence — Ontario Blue Box Program News Release
The Ontario Blue Box Program News Release was received and filed for
information.
9. Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will meet again on Wednesday, December 2nd at 10 a.m.
10.Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Martyn
Seconded by: Kim Smale
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Resolved that the meeting adjourned at 12.05 p.m.
Recorded Vote
Yes
No
Warden Mennill
Yes
Councillor Sally Mart n
Yes
Michaela Lenz
Yes
Ray Price
Yes
Rob Braam
Yes
Kim Smale
Yes
Councillor Grant Jones
Yes
7
0
- Motion Carried.
,
by -
Julie Gonyou, Grant Jones,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk. Chair.
Identified Objectives
To reverse/decrease impacts on the environment
a. To encourage the growth of infrastructure (internet) and working from home
b. Promote local goods and foods/get local goods to people in the County
c. Promote communities using business parks
d. Explore a rural transportation program
e. Encourage companies to mitigate the odour of landfills
f. Create affordable housing with less impacts on the environment
g. Encourage the building of roundabouts
2. County of Elgin to work in a sustainable and green way
a. Move to paperless environment
b. Implement LED lighting in all County facilities
c. Advocate to lower tier municipalities to implement down lighting for streets
d. Look at ditches along roads as ecosystems
e. Advisory Committee to participate in the 2021 County Official Plan review, including
reviewing the way the County does subdivisions (5% for park land) — reduce the
carbon footprint, sever farms with woodlots vs. agricultural fields NOTE: some items
may not be possible due to compliance with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
f. Move to a sustainable green purchasing policy in collaboration with other
municipalities
3. To raise awareness about environmentalism and concrete actions individuals can take
a. Encourage and train people about how to recycle
b. Awareness raising campaign (Don't trash your environment, put your butt on the
beach, not your cigarette) in collaboration with other groups
c. Promote eco-friendly items for the home (i.e. smart receptacles, etc.)
4. To be a leader in environmental actions for the area ... to lead by example
a. Put in electric charging stations in collaboration with local municipal partners
b. Promote moving to electric vehicles
c. Naturalized spaces north of the County building
5. To protect, restore, and build ecosystem resilience through nature based solutions, including
intact, connected natural habitats and local species at risk
a. Review the Council approved Natural Heritage Systems Study and identify potential
actions
b. Promote habitat preservation with landfill operators
c. Develop a program to encourage use of native plants and rain gardens
d. Promote new systems of stormwater management versus stormwater ponds for local
municipal partners
e. Enhance and promote Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) to land owners,
promote expansion of these areas
f. Work with Conservation Authorities, including advocating for a provincial park in the
area
g. Promote an increase in the amount of forest cover throughout the county
h. Explain the significance of large seed trees being kept in logging practices
i. Identify ways to increase habitats for local species (i.e. bat boxes)
j. Identify an approach to invasive species (phragmites approach)
k. Review the programs put in place by the weed inspector
I. Evaluate the initiatives utilizing sprays across the county
6. To provide support and encouragement to the lower tier municipalities and the community at
large for environmental projects and initiatives they would like to undertake
a. Provide letters of support for environmental projects and initiatives
b. Educate and provide information about zero carbon energy buildings and available
funding
c. Advocate to the City of St. Thomas and Southwold to extend the St. Thomas
elevated park trail
d. Explore the use of rail line beds as a trail system
e. Partner with local school boards to see if there are opportunities to promote
environmental projects underway in the area
7. To increase/support the sustainability of local groups working in the area of
environmentalism
a. Encourage community efforts — match up volunteers to groups, young people
b. Promote groups like ALUS (alternative land use) to local farmers