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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal SPAC Minutes February 26 2014 Page 1 CORP0228—2/02 Minutes/Meeting Summary Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 26, 2014 11:30 am CAO Boardroom Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2 Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3 Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development Michelle Pearce, Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council Jessica Macina, Administrative Assistant l (Recording Secretary) Guests: Brian Kelly, Manager of Sustainability (Durham Region) Todd Hall, Member, Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change Absent: David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3 Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Durham Region’s Future Climate Presentation Brian Kelly Todd Hall Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:40 am. Brian K. and Todd H. introduced themselves and proceeded with the presentation. Brian K. and Todd H. provided a summary of a comprehensive study that was prepared by SENES Consultants for the Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change (DRRCC) entitled ―Durham Region‘s Future Climate ―. The study provides climate Page 2 CORP0228—2/02 projections that can be used to prepare Durham Region for the future climate conditions that are expected to occur in 2040 – 2049. Brian K. and Todd H. are currently engaging experts from Durham municipalities and stakeholders to sit on topic-specific task forces to interpret the implications of the climate projections and help prepare a Community Climate Adaptation Plan. Councillor Rodrigues commented that he likes the idea of preparing and educating municipalities and stakeholders with this adaptation plan. Councillor Dickerson expressed his concern with climate change and noted that it will take more than a community to take action in order to alleviate this issue. Todd H. replied that the Region has prepared a mitigation report that outlines potential programs to reduce greenhouse gases, but agreed that the science is telling us that the climate is changing at a very rapid rate and there needs to be a focus on ―adaptation‖ in order to prepare, protect and safeguard our communities. The Region of Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan presentation included: 1. Explanation of Climate Change 2. Recent examples of extreme weather impacts – such as:  December 2013 ice storm that hit southern Ontario and Eastern Canada causing $200M worth of insured losses.  July 2013 Toronto flood that cost $940M (total losses).  June 2013 Calgary floods in June $5B (total losses).  2011 Goderich tornado $75M in insured damage from tornado, $130M total damage estimate from tornado plus sustained rains.  1998 ‗Quebec ice storm‘ most expensive storm in Canadian history to that point with economic consequences totaling more than $1.5B. 3. Climate change as a risk: the need for adaptation 4. Climate Projections (please see attached slides):  climate projections for timeframe 2040-2049  climate means and weather extremes  parameters of temperature and precipitation Page 3 CORP0228—2/02 5. Next Steps  engage a wide range of community stakeholders (regional departments, local governments, institutions, businesses)  inform them of the Adaptation Plan process and seek their involvement on an expedited basis  request organizations to delegate representatives to Expert Task Forces  hold monthly meetings of each task force  standing offer to brief senior stakeholder management on key progress and findings throughout the process  conduct Adaptation Charette in April/May 2014  offer to brief local municipality senior staff and councils in the August/September timeframe  provide a copy of the proposed Community Adaptation Plan in September 2014 (as approved by DRRCC) Todd H. added that it is important to realize that the SENES study projects climate parameters. The project is not a weather forecast and climate is defined as average weather over periods of time. Grant arrived at the meeting at 12:30 pm. Councillor Rodrigues inquired about the implications of how this future climate is going to affect agriculture. Discussion ensued about the impact to the agricultural community. Councillor Dickerson commented that we have seen a lot of changes in Pickering throughout the years and asked what would be the best way to address this issue. Todd H. replied that various CSA standards are being revised and there is a lot of work happening right now to implement/coordinate a few initiatives in the GTA with low costs that could make houses more resilient to climate change. Councillor Dickerson left the meeting at 1:00 pm and thanked Brian K. and Todd H. for the presentation. Tom M. expressed his concern regarding the established neighbourhoods and commented on the need for strategies to deal with existing residents and businesses. He also inquired about how we motivate communities and stakeholders to take action now, when the perception may be that we still have many years before climate change becomes a problem. Todd H. explained that climate change will affect existing population Page 4 CORP0228—2/02 and infrastructure and that corrective actions are being researched for implementation into the Building Code. Todd H. also commented that people need to be made aware in order to make informed decisions and ultimately influence the Province to make changes. Brian K. and Todd H finished the presentation at 1:15 pm, thanked everyone and left the meeting at 1:25 pm. 2. Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods & Sustainable Pickering Day Chantal Whitaker Debrief Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhood Event. Chantal W. advised that the City received very positive feedback in regards to the celebration event. Chantal W. mentioned that she was going to meet with members of the Dunbarton High School Enviro-Club for a preliminary discussion on project ideas and locations. Sustainable Pickering Day will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014. The Theme this year is local food, gardening and the natural environment. A discussion ensued regarding groups to be invited to attend and participate in the event. Staff to review. Meeting Adjourned: 1:50 pm Next meeting: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 - CAO Boardroom Copy: City Clerk