HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 14, 2012
City o~ Minutes/Meeting Summary
i-i Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
Main Committee Room
I Wednesday, March 14, 2012
11:30 am
Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2
Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Lynn Winterstein, Manager, Marketing & Business Development
Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability
Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Mayor (Recording Secretary)
Guests: Terry Green, Durham SustainAbility
Brian Kelly, Region of Durham
Chris Rickett, Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Absent: David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3
Shawna Mutton, Durham SustainAbility
-Item/ Details & Discussion &`Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
a ro riate
1. Presentation: Partners in Project Green Chris Rickett, Brian
Kelly, Terry Green,
Shawna Mutton
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:40 am
C. Rickett thanked Committee members for the opportunity to
speak to them regarding Partners in Project Green
C. Rickett provided an overview of the program and including
details of the Pearson Eco-Business Zone which he explained
was a model for leveraging regional transportation, economic,
ecological assets, all harnessed by a talented pool of social
capital.
Councillor Rodrigues asked how long this project has been in
place. C. Rickett responded that it had been three years.
He commented that initial assessments are free to clients but
that any services they participate in afterward would incur a fee.
Businesses have an approved list of contractors to choose
from.
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He advised that the program includes:
Eco-Efficiency Program
A program for reducing energy, water and waste costs
Sustainable Energy Plan Program
A program that assists businesses in creating an energy
management plan.
Green Purchasing Alliance
Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) works with Partners in Project
Green to reduce the cost of energy retrofits for businesses in
the Pearson Eco-Business one by providing access to the CCI
Purchasing Alliance (PA)
Lean and Green Sessions
Interactive workshops reveal the hidden and costly wastes
often overlooked in organizations
Driving Building Performance Session
Interactive workshops focusing on building re-commissioning
and benchmarking. C. Rickett advised that they are planning
two in Durham, the first at Sobey's.
D. Dickerson asked if they have calculated what the energy
savings are costing the utilities. C. Rickett responded that
Ontario Power Authority reimburses utilities for their energy
conservation programs but could not comment on the cost of
the energy savings to utilities.
D. Dickerson asked if there was a procedure in place for the
businesses that take advantage of the program to give back a
portion of their savings to the program. C. Rickett replied that
there was not.
Eco-Business in Durham
C. Rickett advised that Durham Partners in Project Green focus
on three areas: energy conservation, procurement assistance
and training & networking
C. Rickett advised that current Partners in Project Green
website includes a database for companies to search for
information, tools, services, service providers
T. Melymuk asked how local companies will be engaged to
participate. C. Rickett advised that a media release will be
distributed, but that relationships with the utilities, local
business associations and property management firms, will be
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used to drive participation.
T. Green advised that the DSA Eco-Business program will be
replaced with this program.
L. Winterstein asked if they had discussed this with the Ajax-
Pickering Board of Trade and if not that they should. C. Rickett
replied that they have a number of meetings set up with
municipalities and boards of trade and will work together with
the Economic Development Departments.
i
C. Rickett reviewed the funding request. He advised that each
local utility distribution company has agreed to support the
project in the amount of $13,500 per year, the Region of
Durham will be supporting the project in the amount of
$25,000 per year and they are asking municipalities for sponsor
$5,000 per year for the next three years.
Councillor Rodrigues asked why they have decided to take the
program to Durham Region. C. Rickett replied that they have
developed the tools and they want to share with other municipal
partners. Durham SustainAbility (DSA) will champion the
program in Durham.
D. Dickerson noted that the funding adds up to $100,000 per
year and asked why companies aren't paying for the service.
C. Rickett responded that it is a way to drive companies into'the
program and is an investment in community growth and
business retention and expansion. C. Rickett further
commented that the program isn't intended to be reliant on
municipal funding forever.
Councillor Dickerson commented that he would like to see an
analysis done to see how much companies have saved and
how much they have donated back. C. Rickett commented that
businesses contribute in many ways and that the service is
provided as an investment.
T. Melymuk inquired that if Pickering didn't participate, would
Pickering businesses still be able to benefit from the program.
C. Rickett responded that they would be able to participate, but
that if enough municipalities didn't agree to participate, there
would be no program.
T. Green advised they are asking for a three year commitment,
renewable annually but that funding can be cancelled without
penalty.
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B. Kelly advised that Whitby, Oshawa (pending budget
approval) and Ajax have committed so far. Clarington has not
made a decision yet and the three northern communities were
asked to commit to $5,000 combined and have not committed
so far.
In comparison to the APBoT Eco-Business. T. Green advised
that this program is a huge leap forward.
L. Winterstein asked if the boards or chambers of commerce
have been approached for funding. C. Rickett replied that they
had not.
T. Melymuk asked how many businesses they plan on meeting
each week. C. Rickett replied that this has yet to be
determined but currently he meets with five to ten businesses
per week in the Pearson Eco-Business zone.
C. Rickett advised that they may launch the Durham program at
Hubbell at the end of April to recognize all of the contributors.
NOTE: after the meeting, Shawna Mutton of DSA advised that
due to a scheduling conflict the launch will be delayed and will
not take place at Hubbell. It is now to occur at the Ajax Hilton
Garden Inn. S. Mutton mentioned that Hubbell will be hosting a
DPPG workshop called "NRCan Dollars to $ense: Spot the
Energy Savings Opportunities" on May 3 from 8:30 am to 4:30
pm.
Councillor Dickerson asked if the businesses are separated
by size and if the savings realized as a percentage is
different for smaller or larger businesses. C. Rickett
responded that the results are separated by municipality not
size.
C. Rickett advised that the first advisory committee meeting
will be held in April.
T. Melymuk asked if municipalities contribute to funding the
program, will they be invited to sit on the advisory committee.
A discussion ensued regarding representation on the
committee. It was decided that funding municipalities may be
represented on the committee if desired.
D. Dickerson thanked them for the presentation. C. Rickett,
T. Green and B. Kelly left the meeting at 1:10 pm.
After discussion, the following was decided:
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• The City would commit to funding the Durham
program for one year, which may be renewed
annually if there is proven value to the City
• Tom Melymuk will ask to sit on the advisory
committee
• The City must be made aware (in advance) of all
calls to visits made to Pickering businesses
• The City's Sustainable Pickering contributors
should be invited to the launch of the program
Staff will draft a letter to be sent to B. Kelly of the Region
(signed by Councillor Dickerson and T. Melymuk) confirming
the City's involvement in the program, subject to the above T. Melymuk to action.
noted points.
2. Update: Sustainable Pickering Da March 31, 2012 C. Whitaker
C. Whitaker advised that the planning for the event was going
well. Nine exhibitors will be participating with this year's theme
around local food and urban gardening. Five vendors will be at
the indoor farmer's market. As well, there will be culinary
demonstrations, four different family activities, interactive
games and give-aways. Food donations are being collected for
the local food bank. Ten student volunteers from Dunbarton
High School will be assisting along with City staff.
Corporate wear has been ordered for the event, including shirts
and bandanas.
Media will be invited for 1:00 pm. A stage will be set up for live
music. C. Whitaker asked for SPAC to bring greetings
alongside PTC staff and do a quick Q & A game.
Once finalized, C. Whitaker will email the event details to
Committee members.
3. Update: Contribution Program C. Whitaker
C. Whitaker provided an update of the 2012 Contribution
Program and advised that $15,700 has been received so far.
°4. Other Business All
Next meeting - April 11, 2012 (postponed to May 9)
Meeting Adjourned: 2:00 pm.
Copy: CAO
City Clerk
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