HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC Minutes April 9 2014 Page 1 of 8
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee Wednesday, April 9, 2014
11:30 am
CAO Boardroom
Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2
David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3
Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development
Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management
Michelle Pearce, Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs
Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability
Jessica Macina, Administrative Assistant l (Recording Secretary)
Guest: Shawna Mutton Executive Director, Durham Sustain Ability
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Durham Sustain Ability Presentation on Durham Partners
in Project Green (DPPG) activities
S. Mutton
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:35 am.
Councillor Dickerson welcomed S. Mutton, Executive Director,
Durham Sustain Ability (DSA).
S. Mutton thanked everyone for the opportunity and proceeded with the presentation.
Durham Partners in Project Green (DPPG) is a program of DSA
that provides sustainability aid to Durham Region businesses in
various areas of energy efficiency performance such as:
assessments, training and implementation support services related to energy conservation, waste reduction and water
consumption. DPPG is a not-for-profit team in collaboration with
Sponsors & Partners like Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority (TRCA), Durham Region, Veridian Connections, City
of Pickering and Enbridge to name a few. DPPG helps clients improve diverse economic aspects of their companies including:
• Revenue/Share Growth
• Cost Reduction
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Customer Satisfaction
• Employee Engagement
• The Health of our Environment
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
The focus on the Eco-Efficiency Program is to help corporations
understand energy consumption and how they can reduce
energy costs with minimal impact to their operational needs.
S. Mutton commended the City of Pickering and thanked the
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee for being one of the leading partners and supporters of this program. S. Mutton also acknowledged that the program’s success derives from
developed alliances with regional energy providers,
municipalities, qualified providers of sustainability solutions, and
volunteers.
DPPG has promoted different events including:
• Hosting 163 companies and 257 participants at events
such as: o Understanding Your Electricity Bill (Breakfast) o Spot the Energy Savings o Getting Results from Lean & Green
o Energy Savings Business (Breakfast)
• Produced and Published six Case Studies (Jessica M.
has copies of the case study for review upon request)
• Performed 77 Eco-Efficiency Assessments
• 11 Retrofit projects completed resulting in: o 791,786 kWh/year in electricity savings o 48,821 m3/year in natural gas savings
o $83,000 + in annual savings
o *179 tonnes of greenhouse gas savings
* the actual number would be higher as this only represents applications that went through the OPA and Enbridge incentive programs
• Promoted assessment programs by cold calling over
2000 prospects
Councillor Rodrigues enquired about the outcome of the 2000 cold calls. How much interest was generated through this
initiative?
T. Melymuk also enquired if this could be a good way to
measure the program’s success.
S. Mutton commented that although the cold calling wasn’t as successful as initially thought, it gave them perspective as to
how to implement new strategic planning to reach potential
clients. S. Mutton agreed with Councillor Rodrigues that most
organizations may be inclined to think that DPPG is a profit
organization, therefore, minimizing the opportunity for business.
S. Mutton also agreed with Councillor Rodrigues that some of
these initiatives will allow corporations to learn about each other
and provide new business opportunities through this program.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
T. Melymuk wanted to get a general idea of how many
prospects they were able to reach through this initiative.
S. Mutton noted that she will get back to the committee with
those numbers.
Councillor Dickerson enquired about the Eco-Efficiency Program assessment and what it entails.
S. Mutton explained that the Eco-Efficiency Assessment is
great for companies that are looking for a one-stop shop to
reduce energy, water and waste costs while increasing its
productivity and improving the environment.
The program features the following complimentary three steps
to achieve success:
Step 1 – Walk-Through Eco-Efficiency Review
DPPG’s Energy Management Technologist along with the
company’s utility representative will conduct a complimentary walk-through review of the entire facility to identify high-level
opportunities for energy, water, waste reduction and cost
savings, while providing an overview of any available financial
incentives.
Step 2 – Cost-Shared Detailed Eco-Efficiency Assessment
DPPG will facilitate a cost-shared detailed audit by a third-party
consultant who will develop a detailed plan and business case
to implement the cost-saving opportunities identified through
this walk-through review.
Step 3 – Implementation Assistance
To help businesses with financing the cost saving opportunities,
DPPG will assist by identifying and coordinating applications to
financial assistance programs that can reduce the investment
payback period.
Councillor Dickerson commented and recognized that every company may have different needs; small businesses will look
for convenience and minimal expense in order to proceed with
this assessment.
Councillor Dickerson and Councillor Pickles asked if there was
a report that could identify measures of an average cost savings per day/month/year.
S. Mutton mentioned that they are in the process of developing
strategies to measure and identify these areas as well as create
value proposition packages to assist in the promotion of this
program.
S. Mutton to action
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
C. Whitaker asked if the program had received criticism from
businesses in this sector who perform similar work since the
DPPG program is partially funded by government and utilities.
S. Mutton replied that they have not.
Councillor Pickles commented that DPPG could act as a link between corporations and potentially create more business opportunities among companies by connecting them and
allowing them to learn about each other.
Councillor Dickerson asked if there was any funding available
for these types of assessments.
Councillor Rodrigues asked if there was a different type of approach to make this program more desirable.
Councillor Rodrigues also commented that by providing
companies with different choices such as: covering some of
their expenses, will make this program more attractive.
S. Mutton explained that government funding is available as well as financial initiatives from an array of programs offered
throughout the province. Utility partners offer free services and
financial incentives to support the energy efficiency initiatives of
their customers.
DPPG’s strategic direction for 2014 is to:
• Define Partners in Project Green Program
• Generate Demand
• Deliver Value & Results
S. Mutton spoke about DPPG’s Member Service
Core Services:
• Awareness & Training
• Eco-Efficiency Assessments
• Results Realization
• Organizational Visibility
• Networking & Recognition
• Respectful Representation
Optional Services:
• Sustainability Energizer
• Supply Chain Review
• Project/Change Management
• Portfolio Manager
• Air Leakage Testing (Thermal Imaging)
• Employee Engagement Workshops
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
S. Mutton mentioned the partnership with Sustainability CoLab.
S. Mutton advised that there will be a session on April 28, 2014
that would explain this initiative and that she will send more
information on this matter. Gilbert B. enquired about this
initiative and expressed interest in attending.
Councillor Dickerson thanked S. Mutton for the very informative
presentation.
S. Mutton thanked everyone once again and left the meeting at
12:40 pm.
A discussion ensued regarding funding. The committee subsequently agreed that the decision on DSA’s funding
request should be at the discretion of the Director, City
Development.
2. Environmental Restoration Activities in Pickering
Presentation
M. Pearce
M. Pearce provided an update of the Environmental Restoration
activities that will be implemented in 2014. The City of Pickering
and TRCA will be working closely on various projects
throughout the City while engaging the community.
M. Pearce distributed an activity summary of Environmental Restoration Projects, along with a map indicating where these
activities will take place.
Activities scheduled for 2014 include:
• Amberlea Park – TD Greens Streets tree planting with Highbush Public School students and City staff.
• Harbour Entrance – Reconstruction of the publicly
accessible breakwaters continues and is on schedule for
fall completion. Public access expected to resume in October.
• Frenchman’s Bay East, North Shore Habitat – Shrubs
will be planted on earth day as part of harbour entrance
compensation and habitat restoration. The goal is to
make it more accessible and safe for residents. Project expected to be completed by the end of Spring 2014.
• Duffin Heights, West - Community Engagement initiative.
60 trees and 250 shrubs will be planted by community volunteers ie. Devi Mandir's youth group, City and TRCA
staff. Event to take place on April 26, 2014.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
M. Pearce advised that the following events have been
scheduled:
Illegal Dumping Sign Unveiling
Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2:00 pm Location: Millennium Square, Liverpool Road south Details: The Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee will be unveiling new signage, designed to enhance park safety and
cleanliness and reduce illegal dumping and littering activities
within our community.
Earth Day Planting and Frenchman’s Bay Harbour Entrance Reconstruction Project Sneak Peek
Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2:30 pm
Location: Millennium Square, Liverpool Road south, Pickering
Details: Members of the Nautical Village Business Association,
Pickering City Council, TRCA, MP Corneliu Chisu and MPP Tracey MacCharles will be planting trees along Pickering’s
enhanced waterfront. Following the planting, the group will have
an opportunity to tour the construction site, and learn about the
progress first hand.
20 Minute Pickering Makeover
Date: Friday, April 25th, 3:00 pm
Location: Esplanade Park, Pickering City Hall
Details: Join Members of Council and City staff as they
participate in the annual 20 Minute Makeover. Participants will
commit to making over an area of their community by picking up litter for 20 minutes. Bags and gloves are provided by the City
of Pickering.
Take Pride in Pickering Day – Frenchman’s Bay West
Harbour Entrance Sneak Peek
Date: Saturday, April 26th, 10:30 am Location: Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park, West Shore
Blvd. south onto Beachpoint Promenade
Details: Get an up close and personal tour of the work being
done on the western breakwaters as part of the Harbour
Entrance reconstruction project.
Take Pride in Pickering Day – Community Tree Planting
Date: Saturday, April 26th, 11:30 am
Location: Dersan Street and Tillings Road, Pickering
Details: Local residents and members of the Devi Mandir Youth
group will be planting native trees and shrubs to help restore the natural vegetation that was removed during the construction that took place along Tillings Road over the past two years.
M. Pearce to action
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
Councillor Dickerson asked M. Pearce to provide the committee
with all the details as he would also like to promote these
events on his Facebook page.
Councillor Dickerson enquired if there were other activities
along with planting trees that could be promoted in future events.
G. McGregor indicated that this is a great way to get residents
involved and more ideas will generate through these type of
initiatives.
Councillor Dickerson also enquired if some of these planting initiatives were federally funded.
Councillor Rodrigues asked if some of these trees could be
planted in areas that were affected by the Emerald ash borer
infestation.
Councillor Dickerson concurred with Councillor Rodrigues' suggestion.
T. Melymuk mentioned that these lands are in Duffins Heights
and are provincially owned, and that the Duffin Heights
landowner agreement requires that compensation funding be
spent in Duffin Heights. However, on a go-forward basis the City might want to consider no tying compensation funding to a specific geographic location.
G. McGregor concurred with T. Melymuk adding that the
landowners' contributions will go toward these activities and
that this is a three year program. G. McGregor also noted that another benefit from the landowners’ contributions is to future improvements that are planned for the Urfe and Ganatsekiagon
stream crossings.
3. Sustainable Pickering Day C. Whitaker
C. Whitaker advised the committee that she received very positive feedback from everyone that attended Sustainable
Pickering Day. Through this event, the City was able to reach
out to several hundred people and many new residents signed
up for the Sustainability eList. In addition, 60 lbs. of food was
collected for the Food Bank. The event was so successful that organizers were asked to expand and include more vendors for
future events. Chantal will meet with Pickering Town Centre to
discuss more on the matter.
Councillor Dickerson praised Chantal and volunteers for a job
well done. He also noted that the absence of the stage and music seemed to be more suitable for this event.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as
appropriate)
C. Whitaker commented that all the vendors and display
participants did a great job and that their presentation material
and activities were very well received. With next year being the
10th annual Sustainable Pickering Day, planning will commence
early to plan special aspects to celebrate this milestone.
4. Update on Dunbarton High School – Enviro Club -
Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods project
C. Whitaker
C. Whitaker advised that she will be meeting with David Gordon
and students from Dunbarton High School this afternoon at
3:00 pm to discuss plans for the park and the outcome of the
survey they did of residents surrounding the site.
C. Whitaker will update the committee with the outcome of the
meeting.
5. Update on illegal dumping signs M. Pearce
M. Pearce advised the committee that illegal dumping signs have been created and approved. The new signs have more information including a QR code and will replace the current
Eyes on the Street signs.
M. Pearce announced that there will be a photo opportunity on
April 22, 2014 and will provide further information to all committee members shortly.
The committee acknowledged Jesse St. Amant for
implementing this program and would like to thank him for this
initiative.
Councillor Dickerson enquired as to whether the City could initiate an Adopt a Road Program to help alleviate some of the work that is required by staff to remove litter and dumping from
our roadways.
M. Pearce remarked that it has been looked into in the past but
has been abandoned due to safety concerns. M. Pearce advised that she will meet with appropriate City staff to discuss the possibility of starting an Adopt a Road Program.
M. Pearce to action
Meeting Adjourned: 2:10 pm Next meeting: Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Main Committee Room
Copy: City Clerk