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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. Page 1 CORP0228-2/02 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 Page 2 CORP0228-2/02 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. Page 3 CORP0228-2/02 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: Page 4 CORP0228-2102 • 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 Page 5 CORP0228-2/02