TAMRMS#: B06
6.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Environmental Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report *TIME SPECIFIC - 9:30 a.m.*
Presented by: Bill Marsh, Chair, Environmental Advisory Committee
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That Standing Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the Environmental Advisory Committee’s proposed 2025 priorities as set out in the EAC’s 2024 Annual Report be approved.
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SUMMARY
The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Bylaw 35/2015 requires that an annual report be submitted to Council. The EAC 2024 Annual Report provides a summary of the Committee’s activities during the year, and presents the EAC’s proposed priorities for 2025.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
The EAC Bylaw 35/2015 requires that an annual report be submitted to Council.
On January 23, 2024, Council approved the following priorities:
1. Recommend 2024 Environmental Initiatives Grant Program and Community Recognition Program (environmental stewardship category) Recipient.
2. Provide advice on the update and review of the Sustainable Building Policy and Water Conservation Bylaw.
3. Provide advice on the development of urban biodiversity pilot education programming (i.e., native bees, urban coyotes)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The 2024 Annual Report provides a summary of the EAC’s activities during the year. The proposed priorities were discussed by the EAC, and are provided for Council’s consideration. The 2025 priorities for the EAC are:
1. Review and approve the 2025 Green Community Grant Program, and review and recommend the Community Recognition Program (environmental stewardship category) recipients.
2. Provide advice on the update and review of the Sustainable Buildings Policy C-P&E-12.
3. Provide advice on the update of the Climate Adaptation Plan.
4. Provide advice on the Natural Asset Management project.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The EAC reviewed their 2024 annual report and proposed 2025 priorities through online discussion.
The EAC includes seven representatives from the public and one Councillor. Non-voting representatives from various agencies, by invitation of the Committee, attend meetings and provide input and subject matter expertise. The EAC has a webpage on the City website which includes links to the EAC Bylaw, the minutes of meetings, and links to their Annual Reports
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The 2025 priorities are aligned with the scheduled work of the Environment Branch. If the priorities are significantly changed from what is proposed, this could impact the programs and services provided by the Environment Branch.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The EAC provides the public perspective on how particular environmental and sustainability issues impact the community. The EAC’s feedback in the 2025 priorities identified in the Annual Report mitigates the risk of overlooking the public perspective when developing and implementing administrative policies, plans, and initiatives.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
• Environmental Strategy and Policy Development
o In partnership with related agencies, environmental strategies, policies, and actions are developed to protect the environment.
• Environmental Awareness
o Provision of public education campaigns to support conservation of the environment.
• Community Granting
o Provision of funding to eligible applicants in the areas of special events, sport and culture development, environmental initiatives, operational funding, and capital renovations and development.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If the Standing Committee of the Whole does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: Do not accept the recommended Environmental Advisory Committee priorities. Remove or add priorities with input from SCOW.
Financial:
N/A
Compliance & Legal:
N/A
Program or Service:
The 2025 priorities are aligned with the scheduled work of the Environment Branch. If the priorities are significantly changed from what is proposed, this could impact the programs and services provided by the Environment Branch.
Organizational:
N/A
Risks
The EAC provides the public perspective on how particular environmental and sustainability issues impact the community. The EAC 2024 priorities were identified with this objective in mind. If the EAC priorities change, there is risk of overlooking the public perspective when developing and implementing administrative policies, plans, and initiatives.
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Report Date: January 15, 2025
Author(s): Meghan Myers
Department: Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher