HomeMy WebLinkAboutOS 01-10
o~ Report To
Executive Committee
;1C_ K E R I Report Number: OS 01-10
Date: January 11, 2010
From: Thomas Melymuk
(Acting) Chief Administrative Officer
Subject: Sustainable Pickering
2009 Update and 2010 Work Program
File: D-1000-003
Recommendation:
1. That Council receive Report OS 01-10 providing an update on the 2009
Sustainable Pickering initiative and 2010 work program.
2. That Council authorize staff and the Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
(SPAC) to continue to work on the City's Sustainable Pickering initiative in 2010
with the continued assistance of Durham Sustain Ability as outlined in this
Report.
Executive Summary: This Report provides an update on the work undertaken in
2009 on the City's Sustainable Pickering program and outlines the 2010 work plan for
this initiative. It also requests Council's approval to continue to use the consulting
services of Durham Sustain Ability (DSA) to assist in delivering the Sustainable
Pickering program in 2010.
Financial Implications: Total funding required for the 2010 Sustainable Pickering
program for consulting support is projected at this time to be approximately $70,000. Of
this total, $20,000 is anticipated to be.raised through a Sustainable Pickering
community contribution program. The remaining funds ($50,000) will be included in the
2010 budget for Council's consideration. There will also be a small carry-over of funds
from 2009 to 2010 (approximately $5,000) to complete certain tasks associated with the
2009 Sustainable Pickering work program. As well, $5,000 will again be included in the
2010 conference budget for Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee members.
The total requested funding is the same as what has been approved by Council in
previous years.
Sustainability Implications: Sustainable Pickering is the overall corporate
program that coordinates, leads and measures the City's sustainability journey. The
program involves and affects all municipal departments and engages numerous outside
groups, businesses, organizations and individuals.
I
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Report OS 01-10 January 11, 2009
Subject: Sustainable Pickering Update and Work Program Page 2
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Because of this program, the City has gained a solid reputation. as a municipal leader in
sustainability both in Ontario and across Canada. Significant progress was made in
2009 in our Sustainable Pickering journey. As outlined in this Report, further progress
will be made in 2010 as the City continues moving forward on a number of fronts,
including the completion of the Measuring Sustainability Report, update to the Partners
for Climate Protection plan, development of a Sustainable Pickering corporate policy
and procedures, and amendment of the Vehicle Idling By-law.
Background: Since its inception, Sustainable Pickering has evolved to become
an important focus and identifier for the City of Pickering. Throughout 2009, the
Sustainable Pickering program has continued to evolve and a unique brand has been
created, exemplified by the development of a new Sustainable Pickering logo.
On June 13, 2009 the City hosted a very successful 4th Annual Sustainable Pickering
Day event at the Pickering Town Centre shopping mall. The event was an opportunity
for the City, community partners and program sponsors to interact with members of the
community and to promote a number of programs and initiatives.
At that event, the City also launched a new, innovative and accessible website at
sustainablepickering.com. The new website has proven to be an excellent educative
and interactive resource for the community. It was designed to encourage all people in
the community to get involved in making Pickering a better place to live, work and enjoy.
The response to the new website that has been received to date has been very positive.
Based on website analysis using Google Analytics, we are seeing a monthly average of
1600 visitors to the site from within Pickering, Canada and internationally.
In 2009, the City also launched the Sustainable Pickering Challenge. The Challenge is
multi-year, community-wide program that is intended to help transform Pickering from a
suburban community to a sustainable city. Through the Challenge we hope to inspire
residents to live more sustainable lifestyles, motivate youth and schools to take positive
action, influence developers to build more sustainable communities, and encourage
businesses to adopt sustainable corporate practices.
Integrating non-traditional promotional mediums have also assisted the City in attracting
participation and interest in the Sustainable Pickering program. The new Sustainable
Pickering YouTube and flickr sites are a.means to communicate the actions of our residents,
youth and community groups. From sustainablepickering.com visitors can also link to flickr
to view event photographs and YouTube to see the City's sustainability videos.
Work also began in 2009 on Pickering's first "Measuring Sustainability Progress Report."
This online document will be completed in the spring of 2010. It will report on and analyze
baseline data on a number of the sustainability indicators identified through the City's earlier
Benchmarking Study. Work in 2009 was also initiated on a community sustainability survey
that will be undertaken in 2010.
Report OS 01-10 January 11, 2009
Subject: Sustainable Pickering Update and Work Program Page 3
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By understanding where we are today, the City will be in a better position to determine
where it wants to be in the future. Our first Measuring Sustainability Progress Report will be
followed-, up in 2010 with the establishment of targets (short and long term) for our various
Sustainable Pickering indicators. Progress toward these targets will be measured in
subsequent years.
On-going progress has also been made in 2009 to promote the Sustainable Pickering
program through various means, including displays, advertisements, email postcard
blasts, articles and a "call-to-action" card. Existing partnerships were enhanced and
new partnerships fostered with groups, organizations and businesses that are aligned
with our Sustainable Pickering program. In 2009, a Sustainable Pickering training
presentation was also developed and given to all new City staff, including part-time
hires. ,
The Office of Sustainability continues to coordinate and be involved in numerous
sustainability events. In 2009, the Office:
• coordinated the City's involvement and community participation in Earth Hour
(March 28) and organized an Earth Hour photo contest
• assisted with Energy Conservation Week (May 17-23), Pollution Probe's Clean
Air Commute (June 22-26) and the GTA Smog Summit (June 3)
• helped facilitate naturalization projects involving local businesses
• coordinated the first annual Environmental Leadership Forum on behalf of
Environmental Stewardship Pickering
Sustainable Pickering community contribution packages were also developed in 2009
and forwarded to a number of local businesses. Contributions that are received will be
used in 2010 and future years to enhance the Sustainable Pickering program and help
ensure the City remains a municipal leader in sustainability.
Initial research was done in 2009 on the concept of "Sustainable Placemaking" and a
set of ten principles were developed (see Attachment No. 1). Further work.in
developing and applying this concept will be done in 2010.
Pickering's "lead by example" approach to sustainability requires that our municipal and
corporate by-laws, policies and procedures are consistent with our sustainability goals.
Accordingly, a staff review team will be established in 2010 to prepare Sustainable
Pickering corporate policies and procedures. In addition, the City's "Idling of Vehicles
By-law" will be reviewed and updated in 2010.
Pickering's commitment to energy conservation and meeting our greenhouse gas
reduction targets continue to be a priority. In 2009, staff initiated a review of the City's
corporate and community energy use and related greenhouse gas emissions. Results
will be compared against the targets established by the City through our Partners for
Climate Protection program. A report on the results of this review will be completed for
Council's consideration in early 2010.
Report OS 01-10 January 11, 2009
Subject: Sustainable Pickering Update and Work Program Page 4
2010 Sustainable Pickering Work Plan
The proposed 2010 work plan has been designed to take the City to the next level on
our Sustainable Pickering journey and enhance the City's position as a recognized
leader in municipal sustainability. Work will focus on the following important initiatives in
2010:
1. Completion of the Measuring Sustainability Progress Report
Once this online living website document is completed and promoted the following
tasks will be undertaken:
• refinement of indicators that could not be measured in 2009
• finalization and initiation of a community sustainability survey
• development of short and long term targets for the sustainability indicators
and an action plan to meet each target
2. Completion of a report on the City's current performance with respect to
corporate and community energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
Following the completion of this Report the following will be undertaken:
• preparation of a report to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
seeking confirmation of the City's completion of Milestones 4 and 5 of FCM's
Partners for Climate Protection program
3. Completion of a revised and updated Idling of Vehicles By-law for Council's
consideration
4. Preparation of a Sustainable Pickering policy and procedures
5. Planning and implementation of the 5th Annual Sustainable Pickering Day
• in 2010 Sustainable Pickering Day will be held on Saturday March 27; Earth
Hour is also recognized on that date
6. Assisting with the implementation of various sustainability events
• 2010 events include: Energy Conservation Week, Pollution Probes Clean Air
Commute, and Environmental Stewardship Pickering's second annual
Environmental Leadership Forum
7. Research on climate change adaptation
8. Continued marketing and promotion of the Sustainable Pickering Challenge
9. Continued updates and improvements to the Sustainable Pickering website
• ensuring the website remains W3 compliant to meet accessibility
requirements
• reporting on website traffic using Google Analytics
Report OS 01-10 January 11, 2009
Subject: Sustainable Pickering Update and Work Program Page 5
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10.Continued promotion and expansion of the Sustainable Pickering community
contribution program
Conclusion
The City of Pickering's actions continue to validate its reputation a leader in the
sustainability field. A solid foundation has been built by collaborating and engaging all
members of Pickering's community. The 2010 Sustainable Pickering work plan uses
that base to propel the City forward to the next stage on our journey to creating a
sustainable city.
Attachments:
1. Sustainable Placemaking Principles.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Chantal Whitaker Thomas Mely uk, .C.I.P., R.P.P
Coordinator, Sustainability (Acting) Chief Administrative Officer
Doug Dickerson
City Councillor - Ward 2
Chair, Sustainable Pickering Advisory
Committee
CW:cw
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Thomas J. inn, RDMR, CMM III
Chief Admi istrative Officer
0 6 Attachment #1 to Report OS 01-10
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Sustainable Placemaking
What is Sustainable Placemaking?
Sustainable Pickering is about Sustainable Placemaking. It's about the transformation
of the City of Pickering from a suburban bedroom community to a sustainable city.
We are striving to transform our city into a unique place that celebrates our past,
capitalizes on our existing attributes and assets, while planning for today and future
generations. We can no longer rely solely on conventional planning processes - the
journey to achieve a truly sustainable city must employ additional ways of doing
business.
Through our Sustainable Pickering journey with the community, a variety of sustainable
placemaking principles are emerging:
The Principles
1. Draw on the expertise of the community. It is essential to recognize the talents
and assets within the community. Residents and business people know about the
history of certain places, how they function from day to day, what is important to
preserve, and what needs to change. Some of these knowledgeable people are not
those who regularly participate in public consultation exercises, and the City needs
to seek out their knowledge. All placemaking should begin in fact-finding
conversations with those who use a place.
2. Encourage collaboration at all levels. The City cannot carry out placemaking on
its own. Partners are needed at evey stage to bring about change and contribute
new ideas. Partners may include members of local organizations or community
groups, those working in community institutions, builders, developers, landowners
and business owners and many others. The earlier these partners are involved in
the process, the better.
3. Go beyond design codes; pay attention to function, appearance, and
experience. Placemaking is not a matter of simply following design guidelines.
What looks good on paper may not work on the ground. Guidelines represent best
practices, but best practices from. elsewhere may not respond to the specific
requirements and opportunities of a particular place in Pickering. Placemaking is as
much about exceptions as it is about rules. Keep asking: Is it beautiful? Is it
comfortable? Is it welcoming and accessible to all? Do people want to use the
space?
Attachment #1 to Report OS 01-10
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4. Aim for zero impact as the ideal, in carbon and other footprints. In making.
each decision, choose the path that will lead to the best environmental outcome in
the long term. Consider: Will this choice reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Encourage people to walk instead of drive? Improve air or water quality? Reduce
consumption and waste? Lower the use of nonrenewable energy sources?
Contribute to residents' health? Since we need to live within the constraints of our
planet, it's important to keep the size of Pickering's ecological footprint in mind.
5. Design and plan for people. In making each decision, choose the one that will
increase social interaction, that will be inclusive rather than exclusive, that offers
opportunities for encounters and conversations. The City of Pickering's public
spaces (parks, streets, sidewalks, open spaces) should be welcoming to people of
all ages and all cultures. This means paying attention to seating, safety, sightlines,
noise levels, pathways, sun, shade, and shelter, and all the other details that make
people feel comfortable in public.
6. Strive to make Pickering a unique and distinctive community. Placemaking is
about creating memorable spaces that people associate with a specific location. It is
about respecting geography (the lake, the creeks, the farmlands, the hills) and
history (Pickering's pioneer, industrial, and civic heritage). Every place in Pickering
should be recognizably part of the city, distinguishable from other places and cities.
7. Adapt to change. The world is constantly changing. Some changes we can predict,
such as the gradual aging of the population. Others we cannot foresee, such as
sudden economic shifts. Still others we are only just beginning to understand, like
climate change and the impact of new technologies. The best way to cope with
change in the face of uncertainty is to monitor actions and interventions, and use the
information from monitoring to shape future decisions.
8. Learn by doing: use pilot projects and experiments to test new ideas. Because
change is occurring quickly, there- is little time to create elaborate plans that may be
out of date by the time they are made public. A more flexible way to respond is to
keep experimenting with programs and policies to find out what works and what
doesn't. Sometimes all that is needed are.small tweaks and adjustments over time.
Sometimes the changes need to be bold and rapid to seize unique opportunities.
Some experiments will be more successful than others, but the only failed
experiment is. the one that was never tried.
9. Keep moving in the right direction; the journey will never be finished. Because
change is constant, there is never a point at which everything is perfect, finished,
complete, although improvements can be seen over time. Sustainable Pickering is a
journey, not a destination.
10. We must always strive to achieve the greater public good. Great places are
built by the community and for the community. Meeting our current needs must not
compromise the needs of future generations.
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