HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2, 2013 Final
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
12:30 pm
CAO Boardroom
Attendees: Dave Ryan, Mayor
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 & Special Projects
Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management
Jesse St. Amant, (Acting) Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs
Shauna Muir, (Acting) Coordinator, Sustainability
Carol Redmond, (Acting) Executive Assistant, Council (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Catherine Rose, Chief Planner
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Municipal (Corporate) Energy Plan Update Gilbert Boehm
Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm.
G. Boehm provided an update to the Municipal (Corporate)
Energy Plan. He advised that pursuant to Ontario Regulation
397/11 of the Green Energy Act, 2009, municipalities are
required to have a corporate energy plan completed by July 1,
2014. The portion of the act relevant to the City only pertains to
heated or cooled facilities. He advised that the City is seeking
the services of a consultant to assist with the development of
the plan with integrated implementation strategies.
A discussion ensued regarding the need to hire a consultant. It
was decided that the decision would be determined after
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reviewing the consultant’s proposals.
G. Boehm advised that the City has received the first level of
approval regarding the solar panels for the Claremont
Community Centre and that he will be the liaison for the project.
Scheduling the installation will begin around mid-December
once all approvals are in place.
T. Melymuk commented that a media release will be issued
once the project implementation has been confirmed.
2. Sustainable Pickering Day 2014: Potential Dates Shauna Muir
S. Muir advised that Sustainable Pickering Day is scheduled for
Saturday, March
29, 2014 in conjunction with Earth Day and suggested that the
theme be ‘Natural Environment’ The set-up will be similar to last
year and they are looking to invite key City staff and external
partners to participate.
Councillor Dickerson commented that he would like to see more
stage presence for some of the participants/presenters and
reminded Committee Members to review their options for music
next year.
Councillor Pickles suggested inviting Bloomers & Britches and
Councillor Rodrigues suggested including vermicomposting
(worms).
A discussion ensued regarding ideas for future themes.
T. Melymuk suggested a 2015 healthy active community theme
in consideration of the upcoming Pan American Games.
Councillor Dickerson suggested energy saving devices at
home. S. Muir advised that she would take their suggestions
into consideration.
3. Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods Shauna Muir
Mayor Ryan arrived at the meeting at 1:00 pm
S. Muir distributed a chart outlining the participating
neighbourhood groups’ projects. The 8th group recently
registered and is comprised of a group of staff from Ontario
Power Generation (OPG) and students from Bayview Heights
Public School that have taken on a neighborhood beautification
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project. Groups have up to the end of November to finish their
projects. Each group is profiled on the City’s website.
A celebration event is scheduled for February 12, 2014 from
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. An agenda will be sent to Committee
Members once finalized. Each participating group will share
information about their project and vote on a winner.
Councillor Rodrigues asked how the amount of $10,000 was
derived. T. Melymuk responded that it came out of discussions
from previous Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
meetings.
The success of the program will be reviewed after the
celebration event.
4. Sustainable Community Survey: Results Shauna Muir
S. Muir provided an overview of the Sustainable Community
Survey results.
The survey objective is to obtain information for sustainability
indicators in areas that either information is not available or
areas that require community perceptions. It is also to provide
means for community feedback. She noted that 160 people
responded to the survey. A summary of the indicators is listed
below:
Survey Respondents Demographics
age, gender and education of respondents was populated
Survey Delivery
respondents heard about the survey through
eNewsletters and forwarded emails, local media, social
media, word of mouth, City facility and website
Sense of Belonging
Respondents were asked to rate their sense of belonging to
Pickering.
the majority felt a strong or very strong sense of
belonging to Pickering, which was an increase of 13%
from last year
Perception of Community Safety
Respondents were rated on how safe they felt:
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walking along during the day
being alone in your home after dark
walking alone after dark
walking alone to your car in a parking lot after dark
waiting for and riding public transit alone after dark
Mayor Ryan suggested including a ‘not applicable’ option for
the public transit question, as not all respondents use public
transit.
A discussion ensued regarding the survey design and it was
decided that location, a comment box and a ‘not applicable’
choice would be taken into consideration for future surveys.
Perception of Pickering and its neighbourhoods
most respondents felt very safe or reasonably safe
sense of change in Pickering since moving here was
about the same
most were satisfied or very satisfied with their
neighbourhood
Pickering’s Sustainability Efforts
most were satisfied or very satisfied with the City’s
sustainability efforts
Locally Grown Food
Respondents were rated on how often they:
bought locally grown food
shopped at local farmers’ markets or bought food directly
from a farmer
attended the Pickering Town Centre Farmers’ Market
Volunteer Hours
Respondents were rated on the number of hours they spent
volunteering in Pickering, outside of Pickering and the type of
volunteerism they participated in.
Feedback
Respondents were asked to share any further information that
would help capture their experience living in the City of
Pickering. S. Muir advised that she has feedback comments if
Committee Members are interested in seeing them.
S. Muir to action.
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S. Muir advised that the results would be detailed in the next
Sustainability Report in 2015.
A discussion ensued regarding how the survey results are
analyzed. Hiring a professional in statistical analysis can be
costly.
5. Illegal Dumping/Sign Update Jesse St. Amant
J. St. Amant advised that he has developed new ‘Eyes on the
Street’ and illegal dumping signs, and is working with G.
McGregor to secure funding for the signs for 2014. He
distributed examples of the proposed designs that have been
reviewed by staff.
J. St. Amant noted that K. Thompson is looking into increasing
the fine amounts, but that the process may be lengthy.
J. St. Amant provided an overview of the cost to have two
cameras installed at one location determined to be a hot spot
for illegal dumping sites, and the difference between leasing
and purchasing surveillance cameras. The cost to purchase the
units is $9,330.22 (plus HST), and a 24 month lease is
$464.38/month (plus HST). Prices subject to power availability.
After discussion, it was decided to pursue the possibility of a 3
month trial demonstration at one of the illegal dumping
locations to determine if the cameras would be worthwhile.
J. St. Amant to action.
6. Other Business All
Mayor Ryan asked that staff review the illegal sign issue in
Pickering and report back to the Committee.
Councillor Dickerson adjourned the meeting at 1:35 pm
G. McGregor to
action.
Meeting Adjourned: 1:35 pm.
Next meeting: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 11:30 am, Main Committee Room
Copy: City Clerk