Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

Wednesday, May 03, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Hybrid Meeting

Whitby Town Hall

Present:

• Wenda Abel
• Sara Best, Vice-Chair
• Andrea Cecchetto
• Janet Dignem
• Robynne Dunn
• Anahita Jami
• Brian Kelly
• Patti Mavins
• Catherine Philogene
• Bryan Widner, Chair

Regrets:

• Judy Rivers

Also Present:

• Councillor Lundquist, Mayor's Designate
• Sarah Shields, Staff Liaison, Project Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
• Kristin Palilionis, Staff Liaison, Climate Change Coordinator
• Suprajha Vaithianathan, Staff Liaison, Energy and Sustainability Program Coordinator
• Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.

Approval of Previous Minutes

• Recommendation:

  Moved by Brian Kelly

  That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of April 5, 2023 be approved.

  Carried

4.

Presentations

4.1

Steve Walo, Capital Projects Supervisor, Facilities, Town of Whitby

Re: North Whitby Sports Complex

Steve Walo provided a presentation regarding the Whitby Sports Complex. Highlights of the presentation included:

• key features including a multi-use field, skatepark, fieldhouse, three tennis and basketball courts, pickle ball courts, playground, an outdoor event plaza, and space for future growth;
• sustainable elements including a district energy geoexchange system, advanced building envelope and renewable energy systems, habitat restoration, and connections to local and regional transit;
• Whitby Green Standard Tier 3 targets including 30 percent canopy coverage, 40 EV charging spaces, pollinator gardens, and low impact design landscaping;
• accessibility elements including accessible changerooms, sledge hockey integration, an accessible ramp to the upper level, and accessible counters; and,
• project timelines and next steps.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

• the stormwater management strategy;
• whether roundabouts were included in the Mid-Block Arterial Road design; and,
• the location of geothermal boreholes.

5.

Delegations

There were no delegations.

6.

General Business and Reports

6.1

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report

Brian Kelly provided a presentation on ‘The Ten Big Findings’ by the World Resources Institute which summarizes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. Highlights of the presentation included:

• global targets established in 2015, being to limit global temperature increase to 1.5-2° Celsius compared to the pre-industrial (1880) baseline;
• the impact of global average temperatures increasing above 2° Celsius from the baseline;
• reducing the effects of climate change by limiting the average global temperature increase to 1.5° Celsius;
• the current average global temperature increase of 1.15° Celsius from the baseline; and,
• net global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required to limit global warming.

6.2

Project Planning and Work Plan Development

Bryan Widner requested feedback from the Committee regarding development of the Work Plan and priority projects.

Discussion ensued regarding:

• including climate education projects in the Work Plan on topics such as climate drivers, personal action, policies, and climate change initiatives conducted by other municipalities;
• education on environmental literacy and resources available to residents;
• reviewing best practices from other municipalities;
• conducting public opinion/awareness research;
• reviewing the Canadian Perspectives on Climate Change and Education Survey conducted by Learning for a Sustainable Future to determine a baseline from an educational perspective of what people think about climate change;
• promoting the Town of Whitby’s adaptation projects and climate actions;
• stormwater management strategies that may help maintain parks and yards, as well as prevent flooding and erosion;
• installing signage to identify adaptation projects, climate actions, and stormwater management systems to educate the public on how those features benefit the Town and address climate change;
• using a ‘Sign Finding Contest’ to encourage residents to learn about the Town's actions; and,
• incorporating key themes in the Work Plan, such as education, outreach, and recommendations to Council.

6.3

2023 Sustainability Events

Suprajha Vaithianathan stated that the Earth Week events were successful and well attended.

The Provincial Day of Action on Litter - May 9, 2023

Suprajha Vaithianathan advised that a Town of Whitby Staff clean-up event was planned for the Provincial Day of Action on Litter.

World Environment Day - June 5, 2023

Suprajha Vaithianathan advised that a social media post would be released on World Environment Day highlighting the Town's sustainability projects.

Pollinator Week - June 19 to 25, 2023

Suprajha Vaithianathan advised that events planned included a clean-up of invasive species, and a bees wax workshop in conjunction with the Whitby Public Library.

7.

Council Update

There was no Council update.

8.

Other Business

8.1

Public Nuisance By-law #6714-13

Janet Dignem raised concerns regarding the feeding of wildlife and the limited impact the Public Nuisance By-law #6714-13 had on preventing individuals from attracting pests into residential areas as a result of feeding wildlife. Ms. Dignem suggested that changes to the By-law were required to address the issue. Ms. Dignem stated that her research included reviewing by-laws of other municipalities and communications with pest removal companies. She advised that requests for local pest removal has increased.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

• the issue of feeding wildlife and how doing so attracts rodents and pests;
• instances of pest problems; and,
• clarification regarding concerns with the current By-law and its enforcement.

8.2

Community Greening Program

Suprajha Vaithianathan provided an update regarding how locations were selected for the Community Greening Program and advised that a presentation would be provided at the June 2023 Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting.

9.

Next Meeting

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.

10.

Adjournment

• Recommendation:

  Moved by Sara Best

  That the meeting adjourn.

  Carried

  The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

  Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee on June 7, 2023