The Corporation of The Town of Cobourg

Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee

MINUTES

Wednesday, April 07, 2021 at 2:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Electronic Participation

Members Present:

• Minnie de Jong, Chair
• Anthony Pitts, Vice-Chair
• Councillor Adam Bureau
• Marius Marsh
• Warren McCarthy
• John Vickers

Staff Present:

• Krystal Christopher, Deputy Clerk
• Judy Smith, Environmental Officer, County of Northumberland

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Minnie de Jong called the Meeting to Order at 2:00 P.M.

2.

TRADITIONAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Chair Minnie de Jong recited the Traditional Land Acknowledgment Statement.

3.

APPROVAL/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

• Moved by Anthony Pitts, Vice-Chair

  THAT the Agenda dated  April 7, 2021 be approved as presented/amended. 

  Carried

4.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS

There were no Declarations of Interest Declared by Committee Members. 

5.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The following amendments were made to the minutes:

• John Vickers added as an attendee as he was present at the meeting
• Item 9.1, first paragraph amended to reflect that Minnie agreed to send interim draft response to TAC and a final draft response will be sent after the April 7, 2021 meeting

• Moved by Councillor Adam Bureau

  THAT the minutes dated March 3, 2021 be adopted as amended.

  Carried

6.

DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

7.

COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE

8.

REPORTS

9.

NEW BUSINESS

9.1

SCCAC Work Plan and Annual Report to COW March 29, 2021 Meeting

Councillor Adam Bureau advised that the Work Plan and Annual Report has been approved by Council.

9.2

Response from Glenn McGlashon on Role of SCCAC re ICSP

Chair, Minnie de Jong, provided an update on the information provided by Glenn McGlashon, Director of Planning and Development regarding the ICSP noting that a consultant will be  hired to develop ICSP plan for Cobourg. The committee agreed that no follow up action is required and that Glenn's response should be forwarded to Sustainable Cobourg as the group was mentioned in Glenn's response.

9.3

SCCAC Proposed Changes to Terms of Reference

Councillor Adam Bureau advised the Town is currently looking into ways to integrate youth into advisory committees and other roles within the Town. Councillor Bureau noted that once a plan is in place on how to integrate youth into committees, the plan will be brought to the SCCAC. 

Chair Minnie de Jong spoke to the draft motion noting feedback is required regarding the voting/non-voting role of the GCRA and Sustainable Cobourg representative. The committee agreed that Pam Lancaster, GCRA be a non-voting member and Brenda Ferris, Sustainable Cobourg, be a voting member

Krystal Christopher, Recording Secretary, spoke to the current vacancy on SCCAC.

9.4

Continuation of Environmental Officer Position

The committee moved into Closed Session at 2:15 PM

MOTION

Moved by:  Councillor Bureau

THAT the Committee meet in Closed Session in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act S.O. 2001 regarding: Section 239 (2) (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees - Continuation of Environmental Officer Position 

Carried 

Committee Members engaged in a discussion regarding the subject matter and provided comments in support of the continuation of the environmental officer position.

The committee moved into Open Session at 2:44 PM

9.5

SCCAC Position on Sidewalks

The committee engaged in a discussion regarding the draft position on sidewalks and suggestions were provided to change the wording in the draft position. The committee agreed to the following revisions:

• In section E. SCCAC Position, the word ‘Generally’ be added to the beginning of the sentence in the second paragraph;
• The discussion regarding density be removed; and
• The response to concerns raised by Abbott Street resident be removed

9.6

Suggestions from Presentation to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

Members engaged in a discussion regarding the monitoring of the Committee of Whole and Regular Council agendas and the topics that may be of  interest to the committee. The committee agreed the appropriate action would be to alert the Chair on agenda items of interest to determine whether the committee should submit comments or make a delegation.

The committee agreed to accept on an interim basis Sustainable Cobourg's offer to monitor the Committee of the Whole and Regular Council agendas. The chair would be alerted on agenda items to which the committee may wish to give their position. 

Members of the Committee agreed that in the interest of having wholesome discussions and due to the number of items on the agenda, to refer the discussion regarding the climate impact calculator column on workplans and the Carbon Footprint Calculator to a future meeting. The Committee agreed to schedule a Special Meeting on April 15, 2021 at 3 PM.

MOTION

Moved by: Councillor Bureau

That a special meeting be scheduled on April 15, 2021 at 3PM to discuss the response to Transportation Advisory Committee 

Carried

9.7

Response to TAC re Implementing Suggestions

This matter was referred to the April 15, 2021 Special Meeting 

9.8

Receiving Videos/Articles from other SCCAC members

Members provided comments on their opinion on receiving content from other committee members. Members were opened to receiving such emails, however, concerns were raised regarding the frequency of the emails being sent. Members were open to this provided the sender was judicious in sending only a few videos/articles they felt are important.

9.9

Moving Forward on SCCAC 2021 Work Plan

No discussion took place on this item.

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

10.1

Outstanding Items

10.2

Topics for May 5th, 2021 SCCAC Meeting

11.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Anthony Pitts, Vice-Chair

  THAT the meeting be adjourned (4:28 PM)

  Carried

12.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, April 15, 2021 (Special Meeting)

Wednesday, May 5, 2021