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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM- Apr 10_Final Page 1 CORP0228—2/02 Minutes/Meeting Summary Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:30 am Main Committee Room Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2 David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3 Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3 Councillor Bill McLean, Regional Councillor, Ward 2 Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Special Projects Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management Jesse St. Amant, (Acting) Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs Shauna Muir, (Acting) Coordinator, Sustainability Kyle Bentley, Chief Building Official Nilesh Surti, Manager, Development Review & Urban Design Lynn Winterstein, Manager, Marketing & Business Development Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council (Recording Secretary) Guests: David Watts, Solera Sustainable Energies Company Joel Donen, CleanPark Investments Ltd. Michael Scher, CleanPark Investments Ltd. Allen Arsenault, General Manager, Pickering Town Centre Marilyn Hedge, Resident Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Solera Energies Presentation: Purdue Pharma Canada Phase 2 David Watts Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:35 am and welcomed Committee members and guests. Roundtable introductions were made. D. Watts introduced his presentation with Solera’s vision: “Solera empowers its green partners to confidently invest in cost-effective, clean, safe and proven sustainable energy technologies to help manage their energy costs, and at the same time contribute to preserving our planet’s environment” D. Watts advised that Solera Sustainable Energies Company has been in business since 1991 and listed some of their key Page 2 CORP0228—2/02 clients. D. Watts provided an overview of the 240 kW Purdue Solar Project at 580 Granite Court. He explained that the solar panels on the 50,000 square foot building will produce 276,000 kWh/Yr. This is the energy equivalent of 26 average Ontario homes. Councillor Rodrigues asked if the panels are more efficient than they were in the past. D. Watts replied that they show an incremental increase in efficiency over time. D. Watts displayed a graph of energy produced at Purdue Pharma year to date and noted that in March 2013 over 20,000 kWh hours was produced for the month. When compared with a residential home that produces approximately 600-700 kW per month, this would be equivalent to about 40 houses. D. Watts showed a photograph of the solar panels on Purdue Pharma’s roof and explained how the plan is determined and noted that there is an aisle in the middle of the roof for Fire Services access. D. Watt explained that one year’s output from the Purdue project will run:  a 100 W light bulb for 2,760,000 hours  a ceiling fan for 4,581,600 hrs  a 54” LCD TV for 1,586,206 hours  a 50” Plasma TV for 773,109 hours  a toaster oven for 220,800 hours With respect to Ontario Government direction on renewable energy, D. Watts explained that local community participation was an important component and would include:  public schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and long-term care facilities  aboriginal involvement  an opportunity for close cooperation amongst community, industry and local government A community energy webpage is available to display energy used and saved at generating sites. D. Watts noted that partnering for the realization of long-term economic, social and environmental benefits is driven by Page 3 CORP0228—2/02 sustainability.  FIT 2.0 is beneficial to forward thinking partnerships.  Together we will create projects that benefit all stakeholders; local job creation, skills and technology transfer, new guaranteed revenue streams, new investment opportunities in clean energy, potential manufacturing partnerships.  Leverage partnerships toward energy projects outside of FIT (the truly sustainable business opportunity). Question and answer period followed. Councillor Pickles asked if the building permit application for the second building has been filed. D. Watts responded that they have received permission from Purdue Pharma to proceed. Councillor McLean asked how hail affects the flat units. D. Watts replied they are made from tempered glass and aluminum frames and backed with Kevlar®, which makes the panels both strong and flexible. Councillor McLean asked where they see solar going with respect to residential homes. He noted that in the past there were no incentives, now, even without the Feed-in Tariff Program, the cost is still high. D. Watts commented that the solar modules will last for 35 – 45 years; you need to look at it long-term. It is not the best investment right now but it is getting better. Councillor McLean asked about how much load the roof structure can handle and if Purdue Pharma had a new roof. D. Watts responded that it is a new, heat welded roof that is highly reflective. Councillor Dickerson commented that he is concerned with wall mounts and how it affects the structural integrity of the building. K. Bentley noted that this will be reviewed as part of the application process. T. Melymuk advised that the province also has a microFIT Program which is open to all Ontarians for projects 10 kW and under. D. Watts noted that the program is for residential projects only and not for corporations unless the corporation is a municipality. Under this program, residents are paid a guaranteed price for all the electricity they produce and deliver to the province’s electricity grid. Page 4 CORP0228—2/02 T. Melymuk is reviewing which City facilities may be a candidate for the microFIT Program. Councillor Dickerson thanked D. Watts for his presentation. Councillor McLean left the meeting at 12:30 pm. 2. CleanPark Investments Ltd. Presentation Joel Donen Councillor Dickerson welcomed CleanPark Investments Ltd. He introduced A. Arsenault to committee members and guests. A. Arsenault introduced Joel Donen, CEO of CleanPark Investments Ltd. and Michael Scher, his associate. J. Donen introduced his presentation on “Electric Vehicle Charging: supporting a Clean Driving Experience at Pickering Town Centre”. The presentation outlines how the City of Pickering can support a green driving solution. He noted that electric vehicles have captured a lot of attention, but that drivers will likely not adopt electric vehicles (EVs) until public charging stations are available. Capital costs for public charging stations are high, and, to date, building owners and other businesses are generally unwilling to invest in them until sufficient demand exists. J. Donen noted that as a solution, they have developed an innovative and green business model for all drivers (electric and gas vehicles). This new approach to premium green parking will offer proximity to mall entrances, clean sources of power for electric vehicles, and a donation to offset CO2 for gasoline vehicles. All drivers are welcome to use premium green parking at a modest $2.00 or $3.00 fee, and advertising supports a sustainable business model. After discussion about illegally parked vehicles and how it would be enforced, J. Donen advised that in addition to parking enforcement, a sign would indicate whether visitors had paid for parking. J. Donen provided an overview of project specific information:  No loss of parking spaces.  EV charger specifications and installation guidelines meet Cnd Electrical Code part 1 s86.  Signs designed based on Pickering By-law 699909 and Page 5 CORP0228—2/02 structure will comply with Ontario Building Code.  Each space will have an individual parking meter.  $0.30 per visitor is planned to be donated to a charity that benefits the environment and offsets carbon emissions. CleanPark aims to have half of the proceeds go to local environmental charities and would welcome input from the City about environmental programs to support. J. Donen outlined the marketing benefits:  Media attention – being one of the first cities to deliver a commercially affordable way for people to charge electric cars in public areas with clean energy.  Clean driving experience – delivering a solution for people to have a green driving experience. J. Donen advised that the next step is to confirm the City of Pickering’s interest in electric vehicle charging and obtain the required permits if necessary for the project at the Pickering Town Centre, finalize the lease with the Pickering Town Centre and review the media plan and draft press release for the commissioning ceremony. Councillor Dickerson commented that the project sounds like a great idea and asked if they can work with local contractors. J. Donen replied that he would be happy to work together with qualified local businesses. A discussion ensued regarding advertising space on the signs. Councillor Dickerson suggested including City of Pickering advertising. J. Donen identified an area of the installation that will be for information about the project and the sponsors. Councillor Dickerson thanked J. Donen for his presentation. J. Donen and M. Scher left the meeting at 1:45 pm 3. Sustainable Pickering Day/Neighbourhood Program Update Shauna Muir S. Muir provided an update to Sustainable Pickering Day and the Sustainable Neighbourhood Program. S. Muir showed a Video of Channel 12’s coverage of Sustainable Pickering Day. S. Muir advised that she received positive feedback on the event. The Sustainable Neighbourhood Program was Page 6 CORP0228—2/02 promoted and although there were no registrations on the day, it did generate a lot of interest. A few local schools have expressed interest in the program S. Muir noted that she is aware that M. Hedge is interested in the program and is willing to discuss it with her after the meeting. Councillor Dickerson complimented committee members for their hard work in making Sustainable Pickering Day a success. A discussion ensued regarding suggestions for next year. The following was proposed:  Re-visit the entertainment portion of the program.  Keep local food theme as it was so successful.  Provide Ken Brown with a portable head-set. A discussion ensued regarding the condition of the local community garden and the fact that there are no spaces left. J. St. Amant noted that they will be getting a load of fill from the Regional Compost Giveaway to add to the garden. G. McGregor to check if area immediately to the west would be a suitable location and to check the area for phantom shocks. 4. Waste Management Update – City Facilities Jesse St. Amant J. St. Amant advised that the City is currently at a 61% waste diversion rate at the Pickering Recreation Complex and a 67% waste diversion rate at the Pickering Civic Complex, which includes Pickering City Hall and the Pickering Central Library. With respect to educating facility renters on waste diversion, they are looking into revising the wording in the facility rental contract to include waste diversion as part of the $200 security deposit fee. J. St. Amant also noted that Petticoat Creek Community Centre will now be included in organic collection and that the Pickering Museum Village is also interested. A discussion ensued about battery recycling at the Pickering Recreation Complex. J. St. Amant advised that now that we have curbside collection in place, we shouldn’t be accepting batteries from residents. 5. Other Business All Councillor Dickerson asked committee members to provide comments on determining a solution as to how to economically Page 7 CORP0228—2/02 deal with the amount of garbage on the side of roads, especially rural roads. City crews are being asked to pick up this garbage. After discussion it was decided that G. McGregor would review policies from neighbouring municipalities and report back to the committee. G. McGregor to action. Meeting Adjourned: 2:30 pm Next meeting: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 11:30 am, Main Committee Room Copy: City Clerk