HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 26, 2011
oty o¢~ Minutes/Meeting Summary
i, ,i Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
CAO Boardroom
C - Wednesday, October 26, 2011
11:30 am
Attendees: Mayor Ryan
Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2
David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3
Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Lynn Winterstein, Manager, Marketing & Business Development
Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability
Terry Green, Durham Sustain Ability
Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council (Recording Secretary)
Absent: N/A
Item/ Details Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (includedeadline as
a ro riate
1. Presentation: Sustainabilit Survey Report Ter Green
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at.11:35 am.
T. Green provided an overview of the survey results. A copy
of the survey results was distributed to Committee members.
T. Green advised that overall, the survey results indicated
positive feedback from the community. Baselines have now
been established, and community feedback obtained to
support future work.
Councillor Dickerson suggested the Committee wait to
discuss the details of the report until Mayor Ryan arrived.
Mayor Ryan arrived at 11:55 am.
A Discussion ensued regarding the survey results.
Committee Members agreed that the survey presentation
was excellent. The objective of the survey was accomplished;
baseline measurements for sustainability indicators were
established.
Page 1
CORP0228-2/02
T. Melymuk noted that caution should be taken when
interpreting and/or over analyzing the results as the survey
provides only a part of the City's sustainability picture.
Councillor Dickerson commented that we have a good
baseline, and it will be interesting to compare with future
surveys. Those that were engaged will be interested to see
the results outlined within the Measuring Sustainability
Report.
Mayor Ryan asked if there was a way to further correlate the
findings with demographics. T..Green responded that further
work could be done if requested by the City.
After discussion regarding the locally grown food component
of the survey, L. Winterstein commented that the participating
farmers advised that the Pickering Town Centre market was
the most successful one in Durham.
Councillor Dickerson thanked T. Green for his informative
presentation.
T. Green left the meeting at 12:45 pm.
Councillor Rodrigues questioned why residents were not
members of the Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee.
Councillor Dickerson explained that the initial decision was to
only have councillors on the Committee to provide
appropriate political guidance. to the program, but that in time,
membership may be opened to include residents.
2. Measurin Sustainabilit' Report Update C. Whitaker
C. Whitaker advised that the draft Measuring Sustainability
Report will be provided to the Committee for review in
November.
Promotion of the report will include all communication tools
such as newsletters, social media, media releases etc.,
including the production of a small card that will be easier to
carry around and will include an invitation to visit an HTML site
linked to the report and a QR code to scan for smart phone
users.
T. Melymuk reminded members that the first report (released in
2010) covered only half of the indicators. The second report will
include all indicators.
Page 2
CORP0228-2/02
C. Whitaker advised that the final draft will be ready by year
end.
Councillor Dickerson suggested that the next meeting focus on
the Measuring Sustainability report and its release to Council.
3. 2012 Work tan T. Mel muk
T. Melymuk distributed a draft 2012 workplan. Discussion
ensued on the following items.
Sustainable Neighbourhood Challenge
C. Whitaker provided an overview of the 'Festival of
Neighbourhoods' program in Kitchener where the City
challenged its residents to organize themselves into
neighbourhood groups, and register for events and initiatives in
the community. Through a capital infrastructure grant, a
$10,000 award was invested into the winning neighbourhood.
C. Whitaker suggested that the City could develop a similar
program, focusing on sustainability initiatives.
C. Whitaker noted that the City is trying to find more
interesting ways to engage the community. She commented
that it may be appropriate to use the contribution program
funds to support the City's neighbourhood challenge.
Committee members were generally supportive of this
approach.
Development Guidelines for Downtown Pickering
T. Melymuk reported that staff are in the process of hiring a
consultant to assist staff in the planning and design study for
Downtown Pickering. That study will include the preparation of
sustainable place-making guidelines for the downtown.
Sustainable Pickering Corporate Policy
T. Melymuk advised that a Corporate Sustainability Policy will
be developed in 2012. The policy will be used to formalize the
City's sustainability practices and protocols to remind staff of
the City's interest in sustainability, and help them work and
behave in a sustainable manner.
FCM's Partners for Climate Protection Program
T. Melymuk advised that a number of years ago, Pickering
completed three of the five steps of FCM's Climate Protection
Program, and that we will commence required work in 2012 to
complete the last two steps in the program.
Page 3
CORP0228-2/02
Sustainable Pickering Day
T. Melymuk proposed that Sustainable Pickering Day again be
held in conjunction with Earth Hour in 2012 (i.e. Sat. March 3).
Staff will also consider launching the Sustainable
Neighbourhood Challenge on that day.
Sustainability Events and Partnerships
T. Melymuk advised that staff will continue to participate in
events such as Clean Air Commute and Bike to Work Day and
committees like GTA Clean Air Council and Durham
Environmental Coordinating Committee.
Sustainable Pickering Contribution Program
The program brought in a record $12,000 this year. In terms of
next year's program, consideration will be given to directing
some or all of the funds raised to the City's Neighbourhood
Challenge.
4. Other Business All
C. Whitaker advised that the Region of Durham has hired Brian
Kelly, a full-time, Manager, Sustainability.
Next meeting date: December 14, 2011.
Meeting Adjourned: 1:40 pm
Copy: CAO
City Clerk
Page A
CORP0228-2/02