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Report To: Joint General Government and Planning and Development Committees
Date of Meeting: January 7, 2019
Report Number: CAO -001-19 Resolution: #JC -010-19
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Update Regarding Municipal Climate Change Action
Recommendations:
That Report CAO -001-19 be received;
2. That pre -budget approval of the Municipality's financial contribution in 2019 of $33,748
for the hiring of a Climate Change Coordinator be approved with $15,000 of funding
from the Municipal Government Enterprise Reserve Fund and $18,748 of funding from
the 2019 tax levy;
3. That pre -budget approval for the Municipality's financial contribution in 2020 of $35,419
for the hiring of a Climate Change Coordinator be approved with funding from the 2020
tax levy;
4. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary agreements with the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and
5. That all interested parties listed in Report CAO -001-19 and any delegations be advised
of Council's decision by the Department.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO -001-19
1. Introduction
Report Overview
Page 2
This report provides an update to Report CAO -007-18 respecting municipal climate change
action. This includes introduction of the Municipality's Inter -departmental Working Group on
Climate Change, and next steps with respect to funding from the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities for the hiring of a temporary Climate Change Coordinator. Pre -budget
approval of a portion of the Climate Change Coordinator salary is being sought.
1.1 On July 3, 2018, Council approved Resolution #GG -366-18 respecting the
establishment of an inter -departmental working group on climate change and directing
staff to prepare an application for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM)
Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) — Climate Change Staff Grants
initiative (Report CAO -007-18). The purpose of this report is to update Council on the
status of this new inter -departmental working group and the grant application, and to
seek pre -budget approval for the Municipality's financial contribution of the remaining
portion of the salary.
2. Inter -Departmental Climate Change Working Group
2.1 A Terms of Reference for the Inter -Departmental Climate Change Working Group
(CCWG) was approved by Department Heads in September. In accordance with the
established mandate, the CCWG brings together representatives from across the
Corporation to work collaboratively on a climate change vision for the Municipality and
to identify, prioritize and implement climate change actions that are within Municipal
control.
2.2 The inaugural meeting of the CCWG was held on November 28, 2018. The CCWG is
comprised of at least one representative from the following Departments:
x Community Services
x Corporate Services
x Emergency & Fire Services
x Engineering (including Building) Services
x Finance
x Operations
x Planning Services
Municipality of Clarington
CAO -001-19
Page 3
Legal Services, Clerks and Corporate Communications will be called upon on an as
needed basis.
2.3 The preparation of a work plan for the CCWG will commence in early 2019 based on
the proposed work plan developed for the FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grant
application. Any items that require a financial commitment shall be dealt with by the
appropriate Departments as part of the annual Municipal budget process, and will be
subject to final approval by Council.
3. FCM MCIP Staff Grant Initiative Application
3.1 The FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grants initiative provides funds to pay up to 80
percent of the salary (to a maximum of $125,000 over a 24 -month period) for a staff
person who will work on initiatives to improve adaptation to local climate change
impacts or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Municipalities with a population of
150,000 or less were eligible to apply.
3.2 The Municipality's application sought the maximum funds available to support the hiring
of a Climate Change Coordinator. The Climate Change Coordinator would be a fully
dedicated resource to:
x Lead the initiation of an integrated approach to climate change;
x Facilitate cross -corporate and inter -municipal efforts for collaboration, including
coordination of the inter -departmental CCWG;
x Leverage the existing regional foundation for climate change action, while taking
into account the local context;
x Coordinate the Municipality's response to opportunities for climate change
resource and technical support; and
x Contribute to strengthening municipal policies and practices that support climate
resilience and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
3.3 On December 5, 2018, Staff received notice from FCM that the Municipality's
application was successful. The total cost of the 24 -month contract (non-affiliated)
Climate Change Coordinator including salary and benefits is $194,167. Discounting the
maximum grant funding amount ($125,000) and $15,000 that remains in the Municipal
Government Enterprise Reserve Fund associated with the Energy Audit Master Plan,
the remaining cost to the Municipality is $54,200 over 2 years.
3.4 To secure the grant funding, the Municipality is required to enter into a contract
agreement with FCM. This is the same process followed for other grants that the
Municipality has been awarded through other FCM funding programs. Prior to contract
Municipality of Clarington
CAO -001-19
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execution, Council approval of the Municipal operating cost expenditure is required.
Staff recommend that the Municipal contribution of $54,200 for the hiring of a Climate
Change Coordinator be funded from the 2019 and 2020 tax levy.
4. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Director of Finance/Treasurer and Acting Director
of Planning Services who concur with the recommendations.
5. Conclusion
Lack of staff resources is one of the biggest barriers faced by communities looking to take
action on climate change. The Municipality has made great strides to protect and
enhance the environment and develop a sustainable community. The establishment of a
dedicated inter -departmental working group focused on climate change is a significant
step taken by Council and the Municipality to further this commitment. The hiring of a
Climate Change Coordinator for a 24 -month period, leveraging support provided by the
FCM MCIP Climate Change Staff Grant initiative, will provide a much needed resource to
strengthen the coordination and prioritization of local climate change action and excel
locally addressing climate change forward. It is respectfully recommended that the
Municipality's financial contribution of $54,200 for the hiring of the Climate Change
Coordinator be a pre -budget approval.
Submitted by:
Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B
CAO
Staff Contact: Amy Burke, Senior Planner, (905) 623-3379 ext. 2423 or aburke@clarington.net
List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision is on file in the CAO Office