Minutes

Environment Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - 4th Floor, City Hall - Webex Electronic Meeting

Members Present:

• Akeem Gardner (Co-Chair)
• Harripaul Bridgemohan
• Rajbalinder Ghatoura
• Jafir Jaferi
• David Laing
• Tamsen Metcalfe
• Sherry-Ann Ram
• Stacey Wilson

Members Absent:

• Preethi Anbalagan (Co-Chair)
• Sanjay Mathur
• Davika Misir
• Amandeep Purewal
• Vipul Shah
• City Councillor D. Whillans

Staff Present:

• Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Public Works and Engineering
• Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering
• Zoe Milligan, Environmental Project Specialist, Public Works and Engineering
• Tammi Jackson, Legislative Coordinator

---

1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. and adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

2.

Approval of Agenda

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC026-2021

  That the agenda for the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of August 10, 2021, be approved as amended to add:

  
  6.3 – Verbal Update from the Grow Green Network sub-committee re: The Brampton Environmental Alliance.

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil 

4.

Previous Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Environment Advisory Committee - June 8, 2021

The minutes were considered by Committee of Council on June 23, 2021, and were approved by Council on July 7, 2021. The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

5.

Presentations\Delegations

5.1

Presentation by Jessica Yadav, Environmental Planning Student, Public Works and Engineering, re: Natural Heritage and Stormwater Survey

Jessica Yadav, Environmental Planning Student, Public Works and Engineering, provided a presentation entitled "Natural Heritage and Stormwater Survey".

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Natural Heritage System Communication Plan
• Survey Objectives
• Survey will be launched on-line August 16, 2021 
• Staff advised volunteers were needed to help promote the Natural Heritage and Stromwater survey at the following in-person events:
  • Farmers Market - August 21, September 18 and October 9th, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Bikes in Brampton Roadshow - September 5, 2021 Chris Gibson Park, September 19, 2021 at Chinguacousy Park and September 26, 2021 at Knightsbridge Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC027-2021
  1. That the presentation from Jessica Yadav, Environmental Planning Student, Public Works and Engineering, to the Environment Advisory Committee of August 10, 2021 re: Natural Heritage and Stormwater Survey be received.
  Carried

5.2

Presentation by Kristina Dokoska, Environment Planner, Public Works and Engineering,  re: Grow Green Awards

Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Public Works and Engineering, provided a presentation entitled "Grow Green Awards".

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• The Environmental Legacy Award will be a memorial tree and plaque that will be planted on the day of the celebration event. 
• Common Municipal Award Categories
  • Environment Legacy Award
  • Individual/Volunteer Award
  • Business/Organization Award
  • Youth Award
• City of Brampton's Environmental Awards and Criteria
  • Environment Legacy Award
  • Climate Change Award
  • Stewardship Award
  • Sustainable Communities Award (Businesses and Organizations)
  • Youth Award
  • Staff Award
• Grow Green Award selection panel
• Grow Green Award timelines
• The Grow Green website and other various channels will be used to promote nominees.

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC028-2021
  1. That the presentation from Kristina Dokoska, Environmental Planner, Public Works and Engineering, to the Environment Advisory Committee of August 10, 2021 re: Grow Green Awards be received.
  Carried

6.

Reports/Updates

6.1

Verbal Update from Zoe Milligan, Environmental Project Specialist, Public Works and Engineering, re: Brampton Tree Month and Residential Tree Program

Zoe Milligan, Environmental Project Specialist, Public Works and Engineering, provided an overview of the "Brampton Tree Month and Residential Tree Program", and responded to questions of clarification from Committee.

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

• Questions regarding the status of removing the existing dead trees throughout Brampton.  
• Concerns regarding adequate staffing resources with regards to ensuring Forestry staff can get out to inspect the trees and ensure the trees are being watered, within 24 to 48 hours after planting, to ensure the survival of the tree. 
• Clarification regarding the Urban Forest Management Plan
• Suggestion to invite Parks staff to provide a detailed presentation and update to Committee with regard to: tree maintenance and tree follow-up programs; trees dying and not being replaced; potentially inadequate resources (to ensure survival of trees planted); and the Urban Forest Management Plan currently under development
• Staff advised that the comprehensive plan will go to Council in September or October 2021. 
• Suggestion that the matter of intervention that may be required to ensure survival of trees planted be raised with Council as an area in need of urgent attention. BEAC will delegate to Committee of Council at the September 8, 2021 meeting.

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC029-2021

  1.  That the verbal update from Zoe Milligan, Environmental Project Specialist, Public Works and Engineering, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of August 10, 2021, re: Brampton Tree Month and Residential Tree Program, be received; and
  2.  That staff be requested to:
  a.   Provide a detailed presentation and update to the Environment Advisory Committee with regard to: tree maintenance and tree follow-up programs; trees dying and not being replaced; potentially inadequate resources (to ensure survival of trees planted); and the Urban Forest Management Plan currently under development; and,

  b.   Review the current list of trees, to prevent the planting of any further listed invasive species on the planting lists, such as Norway Maple; and,

  3.   That the matter of intervention that may be required to ensure survival of trees planted be raised with Council as an area of concern in need of urgent attention, by way of a Brampton Environment Advisory Committee delegation to the September 8, 2021 meeting of Committee of Council.

   

  Carried

6.2

Verbal Update from Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, re: Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) Advisory Task Force

Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, provided an overview of the "Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) Advisory Task Force", and advised a presentation will be provided at the October 12, 2021 BEAC meeting to provide and update regarding the accomplishments made by the taskforce over the last several months.  

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC030-2021

      
  That the verbal update from Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, to the Environment Advisory Committee Meeting of August 10, 2021, re: Centre for Community Energy Transformation (CCET) Advisory Task Force, be received.

  Carried

6.3

Verbal Update from the Grow Green Network sub-committee re: The Brampton Environmental Alliance

David Laing, Committee Member, provided an update regarding the "Grow Green Network Sub-committee regarding the Brampton Environment Alliance", and advised that the Brampton Environment Alliance bank account and website are now active and can be accessed at BramptonEA.org. There are three levels of membership: Individual ($15.00), Organizations ($20.00) and Youth and Seniors ($10.00). Brampton Environment Alliance will be publishing a newsletter on a regular basis and encourage all members to subscribe on the website. 

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC031-2021

  That the verbal update from David Laing, Committee Member, re The Grow Green Network Sub-Committee regarding the Brampton Environmental Alliance, be received;

  Carried

7.

Sub-Committees

Nil

8.

Other New/Business

8.1

Resignation of Committee Member Preethi Anbalagan from the Environment Advisory Committee

Akeem Gardner, C0-Chair, advised Co-Chair, Preethi Anbalagan has accepted employment in New York. Mr. Gardner thanked Ms. Anbalagan for her contributions on the Committee and wished her all the best. 

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC032-2021

  That the resignation of Committee member Preethi Anbalagan from the Environment Advisory Committee be received. 

  Carried

8.2

Discussion Item at the request of Harripaul Bridgemohan, Committee Member, re: Environment Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference

Harripaul Bridgemohan, Committee Member, addressed Committee regarding the Environment Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference, and provided the following:

• The Committee seems to be drifting away from the Terms of Reference. Without a workplan the Committee will not have a sense of direction and or sense of responsibilities. 
• Co-chairs have not been elected on an annual basis. 
• Indicated that Committee orientation at the beginning of the term did not address the Committee responsibilities and expectations

Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, advised that a workplan was created and reviewed by BEAC. The workplan went to Council on January 2020 and was ratified. Mr. Hoy also indicated that a detailed orientation binder was distributed to all members of the Committee and a staff presentation was undertaken at the beginning of the term outlining expectations and Committee responsibilities. Mr. Hoy advised that a copy of the BEAC workplan will be emailed to Committee members for future reference. Mr. Hoy outlined that the Committee has done a great job under the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

8.3

Discussion item at the request of Stacey Wilson. Member, re: Staff Response to Rat Management Education and City's Plan - Status on Habitat Boxes installed in Woodlots

Stacey Wilson, Committee Member, requested an update from staff regarding Staff Response to Rat Management Education and City's Plan - Status on Habitat Boxes installed in Woodlots.

Michael Hoy, Supervisor, Environmental Planning, Public Works and Engineering, advised that City staff have not yet been involved in the Rat Program as it is a matter that resides at the Regional level of responsibility. Mr. Hoy indicated that City staff in partnership with the TRCA are undertaking a study on the Woodlot Management Plan for North Place Park. This study will look at the sustainability of installing habitat boxes. 

9.

Correspondence

Nil

10.

Question Period

Nil

11.

Public Question Period

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made at this meeting.

Tammi Jackson, Legislative Coordinator, confirmed that no questions were submitted regarding decisions made at this meeting.

12.

Adjournment

The following motion was considered. 

• EAC033-2021

  That the Environment Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. or at the call of the Chair

  Carried