Minutes of Sustainable Orangeville

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Electronic and In-Person Participation - Sustainable Orangeville
The Corporation of the Town of Orangeville
(Chair and Secretary at Town Hall - 87 Broadway)
Orangeville, Ontario
Members Present:
  • M. Rowley, Chair
  • Councillor T. Prendergast, Vice-Chair
  • J. Elchyshyn
  • M. O'Connor
  • J. Pickering
  • M. Smith
  • W. Speirs
  • A. Waugh
  • E. Whitfield
Members Absent:
  • G. Bryan
  • G. Spence
Staff Present:
  • G. Brennan, Legislative Assistant, Corporate Services
  • T. Dulisse, Manager, Transportation and Development, Infrastructure Services
  • E. McAuley, Senior Climate and Sustainability Specialist, Infrastructure Services

1.
Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.
Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest

 

None.

3.
Land Acknowledgment

 

M. Rowley, Chair, acknowledged the treaty lands and territory of the Williams Treaty Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Chair also recognized that Dufferin County is the traditional territory of the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee, and is home to many Indigenous people today.

4.
Agenda Amendment

 
  • Recommendation:2025-001
    Moved byM. O'Connor

    That the Sustainable Orangeville Committee amend the 2025-02-06 meeting agenda, and

    That "Invasive Species Grant" be added as agenda item for the 2025-02-06 Sustainable Orangeville Committee meeting.

    Carried Unanimously

5.
Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

 
  • Recommendation:2025-002
    Moved byM. O'Connor

    That the minutes of the following meeting be approved: 

6.
Presentations

 

None.

7.
Items for Discussion and Reports

 

7.1
Earth Day Tree Planting Event in Conjunction with the CVC

 

W. Spiers informed the Committee that the Earth Day Tree Planting Event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the location to be determined. The Committee reviewed the events success in previous years, the volunteer registration process, and the available promotional tools for this year's event.

The Committee discussed participating in the Orangeville Lions Club Home and Garden Show to promote the Earth Day Tree Planting Event and the projects listed on the Committee's 2025 work plan. The Committee agreed to coordinate with Infrastructure Services staff to arrange the booth scheduling. Additionally, the Committee agreed to coordinate with project leads to discuss and plan upcoming events and initiatives.

7.2
Tree Sapling Giveaway

 

G. Brennan, Legislative Assistant, advised the Committee that the Operations Centre will be unable to serve as the location for the Tree Sapling Giveaway. The Committee discussed the availability of various Town facilities that could serve as a new location and highlighted the Train Station as an alternative location. T. Dulisse, Manager, Transportation and Development informed the Committee that he will reach out to staff to determine the availability of the Train Station. 

The Committee discussed attending the Orangeville Farmers' Market in May to further promote the Tree Sapling Giveaway Event.

8.
Invasive Species Grant

 

Councillor T. Prendergast, Vice-Chair, advised the Committee that the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund is seeking proposals for grants to support groups or organizations to implement phragmites prevention and control activities in Ontario, which is coordinated by the Invasive Species Centre, through the Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program. Councillor T. Prendergast, Vice-Chair, spoke to the purpose of the grant and advised the Committee that the deadline to submit is Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

E. McAuley, Senior Climate and Sustainability Specialist, and J. Elchyshyn, provided additional details of the grant and discussed the priority funding activities that may be requested in the grant application, including:

  • Phragmites Mapping, Monitoring, and Planning
  • Phragmites Control Implementation
  • Phragmites Innovation

The Committee asked questions and discussed the management of potential sites, Committee and legislative requirements, and likeminded organizations interested in invasive species. The Committee agreed to not apply for the 2025 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund Grant and will look to invest in an invasive species program in 2026 or when best applicable.

9.
Correspondence

 

None.

10.
Announcements

 

M. Rowley, Chair, advised the Committee of the East-West Broadway Study and highlighted the opportunity to complete the accompanying survey. Ms. Rowley further advised that the deadline to complete the Town's Transit Route Concept follow-up survey recently passed.

11.
Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

12.
Adjournment

 
  • Recommendation:2025-003
    Moved byCouncillor Prendergast

    That the meeting be adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

    Carried
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