HomeMy WebLinkAboutOPD-005-12 Clartgton REPORT
OPERATIONS
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: May 28, 2012 Resolution#: By-law#:
Report#: OPD-005-12 File#:
Subject: BLUE COMMUNITY
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report OPD-005-12 be received;
2. THAT all interested parties listed in Report OPD-005-12 be advised of Council's
decision;
3. a) THAT Council declares Clarington a "Blue Community" and the necessary capital
costs will come from the Facilities/Park Maintenance Reserve Fund and the
Community Services Capital Reserve Fund, and that the communication and
promotion campaign be approved as part of the 2013 Current Budget; or
3. b) THAT Council declares Clarington a "Blue Community" conditionally on 2013
Budget approval for necessary funds;
4. THAT Council not approve the banning of non-recyclable utensils at Municipal
functions and staff continue to investigate and implement the use of recyclable
and biodegradable products in the concession operations; and
5. THAT Council direction be copied to Robyn Hamlyn, Boards of Council,
Community Hall/Arena Boards, Council of Canadians, Blue Communities
s_
i
Submitted by: Reviewed by: C �l �
Fre Horvath Franklin Wu,
Director of Operations Chief Administrative Officer
FH/GA/cv
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 At the December 5, 2011 Council meeting, Resolution #C-509-11 was approved
as follows, "THAT Correspondence Item D-3 from Robyn Hamlyn be referred to
staff to investigate declaring the Municipality of Clarington a "Blue Community"
and
THAT staff investigate banning the use of non-recyclable utensils at municipal
functions, including functions of local boards and committees".
1.2 The Blue Communities Project is a joint venture of the Council of Canadians and
the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The theme of the Project is to protect
public water services and challenge the bottled water industry. A "blue
community" is a community that adopts the water commons framework which
states that water belongs to no one and is the responsibility of all. This is
accomplished by:
1.) Recognizing water as a human right.
2.) Promoting publicly financed, owned, and operated water and waste
water services.
3.) Banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal
events.
2.0 RECOGNIZING WATER AS A HUMAN RIGHT
2.1 The recognition of water as a human right— Canada would ensure that all people
living in this country are legally entitled to sufficient quantities of safe, clean
drinking water and would require that access inequalities be addressed
immediately. Currently water is not officially recognized as a human right by the
Federal Government.
By endorsing water as a human right, Clarington would support that all residents
have equal access to adequate supply of safe, clean water, provide residents
with information on their water supply and operation of their water services, and
promote water conservation and source protection to enhance water quality and
quantity.
2.2 The Region of Durham water service, which services 22,601 homes in
Clarington, is subject to on-line testing, continual sampling and readouts, and
daily testing for bacteriological quality. The Region's water system is maintained
in accordance with the Provincial Drinking Water System Regulation 170/03.
Durham's municipal water service is the first in Ontario to be accredited to all
three relevant ISO standards and water quality reports are made available to the
public on an annual basis.
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 3
3.0 CURRENT USE OF BOTTLED WATER
3.1 Each Municipal Department was contacted to inquire about the various functions
that they offered /that used bottled water and plastic cutlery and plates. We
received information that twenty eight municipal hosted events provided bottled
water and used plastic cutlery. These events include staff appreciation day, long
term service awards, accessibility and customer service training, Council budget
workshops, etc. It was also noticed that many of the kitchenettes throughout the
Municipal Administrative Centre have bottled water in it for personal use.
4.0 THE IMPACTS TO BANNING BOTTLED WATER IN MUNICIPALLY
OPERATED BUILDINGS
4.1 Staff has contacted all volunteer hall boards and arena boards whose building is
supplied by the regional municipal water service. This includes six community
halls and two arenas; the majority offers bottled water at their events. The
concerns raised include loss of revenue, capital cost for installation of fountains
and maintenance, etc.
4.2 Staff met briefly with the Library Director and discussed the proposed ban for the
Municipal Administrative Centre. She indicated that she was in agreement in
principle with the banning of bottled water, however not in favour of providing for
a water fountain in the library area.
4.3 It is recommended that all municipal buildings operated by volunteer boards be
advised of Council's direction and be encouraged to investigate ways of reducing
the use of bottled water and to follow the proposed policy when and if feasible.
The proposed policy will not apply to the remaining community buildings that
operate on a well water supply.
4.4 It should be noted that bottled water at GPA and Council meetings has been
discontinued for the past five years. Bottled water dispensers have been phased
out in the Municipal Administrative Centre during the past several years.
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 4
5.0 IMPACTS TO BANNING BOTTLED WATER IN MUNICIPALLY OPERATED
RECREATION FACILITIES
5.1 Should Council decide to declare Clarington a "Blue Community" the ban on the
sale of bottled water would apply to all municipally operated recreation facilities.
Although the Darlington Sports Centre is on well water supply, recent renovations
to the facility include the installation of a chlorination system which would allow
this facility to be included in rthe program
5.2 The Community Services Department operates concessions in their three arena
facilities and provides vending services at all seven indoor recreation facilities.
Should Council adopt this program, all bottled water sales through the
concessions and vending machines would be discontinued. In order to make
municipal tap water easily accessible to patrons in the facilities capital upgrades
would be required. This would include the installation of new water bottle fill
stations along with the conversion of existing drinking fountains to accommodate
water bottle filling.
5.3 The current contract for the supply of bottled water for both the concessions and
vending machines is scheduled to expire on August 31, 2012. If approved, all
future contracts would include the provision that bottled water will not be
available for sale.
5.4 The Community Services Department also provides catering services for
meetings in recreation facilities to both municipal and non-municipal functions.
Many of these events include providing bottled water. If this program is adopted
department staff will provide pitchers of municipal tap water for these functions.
6.0 BANNING THE USE OF NON-RECYCLABLE UTENSILS AT MUNICIPAL
FUNCTIONS INCLUDING FUNCTIONS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
6.1 For the purposes of the report, staff is defining non-recyclable utensils as the
following:
• Plastic utensils and plates
• Styrofoam cups and plates
In our survey of municipal departments, it is noted many events provided for the
use of plastic cutlery and most of these events use paper plates which can be
disposed of in an organic bin program.
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 5
6.2 In the Community Services Department concession operations, plastic cutlery is
provided for a number of food and beverage items. This includes utensils for
french fries, soup, toasted bagels, etc. The use of styrofoam coffee cups and
serving trays has been reduced in recent years and ultimately will be eliminated.
In some cases alternatives are easily available with little or no impact to
operating costs. This could include replacing plastic coffee stir sticks with
wooden sticks. Due to the nature of the concession operation the use of re-
usable utensils for patron use is not a feasible solution. Staff will continue to
investigate and implement the use of recyclable and bio-degradable products
and enhance recycling programs including the introduction of a green bin
program in 2013.
6.3 The catering services provided by Community Services currently include the use
of non-recyclable utensils. A potential alternative could include the purchase of
dishes, glasses and silverware to be used for both municipal and non-municipal
events. The initial cost to provide adequate supplies would impact operating
costs. Currently there is no automatic dishwashing equipment in any of our
recreation facilities.
6.4 In addition, banquet rentals at our facilities currently provide their own catering
services, which may include the use of plastic utensils etc. At this time staff does
not recommend any change to current practices for these types of rentals.
7.0 FINANCIAL IMPACT
7.1 If Council was to approve the banning of bottled water in municipally operated
buildings, the potential capital upgrades would involve modifying existing water
fountains, adding fill stations, installing new water fountains, etc. With our
municipally operated recreation facilities the proposed capital upgrade is
estimated at $36,000. Attachment#2 indicates the capital costs per municipal
facility. The Municipal Administrative Centre is estimated at $6,700. These costs
are not included in the 2012 Budget. It is recommended that Council approve
these expenditures from the appropriate reserve funds, or refer these
expenditures to the 2013 budget process, if it is their intent to declare Clarington
a Blue Community.
7.2 Based on current sales, the potential revenue loss for Community Services from
the ban of bottled water is estimated at $12,000 including concession sales and
revenue commissions. Upon approval of this program the estimated annual
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 6
revenue loss would be reflected in the 2013 operating budget. As well there will
be a loss of revenues for the last four months of 2012.
7.3 Enhancement of access to municipal tap water represents an increase in service
levels within municipal buildings and recreation buildings affected by the ban.
Inspection and cleaning of publicly accessible water fountains and filling stations
is critical to maintain safe and appealing conditions. Each installation will require
inspection and cleaning twice during a 16 hour operation and each visit will
require a minimum of 10 minutes.
7.4 If Council proceeds with the banning of non-recyclable utensils, staff will have to
purchase dishes, silverware, and recyclable items for all municipal events. With
regard to dishes and silverware, investigation into the purchasing of a
dishwasher will be necessary. The cost to supply a set of dishes,
glasses and silverware to provide for 100 people is estimated at $1,000. The cost
to provide an automatic dishwashing unit is estimated at $17,000.
8.0 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
8.1 If Council should proceed with the banning of bottled water at municipal events
and in municipal buildings, all future municipal advertising featuring bottled water
will no longer be accepted.
9.0 POLICY TO ELIMINATE THE SALE OF BOTTLED WATER IN FACILITIES
9.1 A corporate policy will be developed if Council approves the banning of bottled
water at municipally operated buildings. The policy will include the following:
1.) The sale or distribution of single use bottled water shall be eliminated at all
municipally operated buildings and municipal events.
2.) Elimination comes into effect only once access to municipal tap water has
been provided and any vendor agreements governing the sale of bottled
water have expired.
3.) Access to drinking water is accessible to people with disability.
4.) Bottled water will not be sold or provided at meetings, public open houses,
municipal events etc.
5.) The Municipality's Advertising Policy will be amended to disallow any future
advertising of bottled water products on municipally owned property.
6.) Exemption to buildings where easy access to region water service does not
exist.
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 7
10.0 COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTION
10.1 If Council chooses to approve the recommendations in the report, an effective
communication plan would have to be developed by the Corporate Services
Department to highlight tap water. The plan would include signage, media blitz
etc. A budget of$7,500 will have to be approved, as part of the 2013 Current
Budget.
11.0 COMMENTS
11.1 Staff will continue to work with other partners to promote the use of tap water,
reusable containers, and water conservation. Further investigation will occur into
creating bottled water free zones within certain Clarington special events.
The recommendation to phase out the sale of bottled water is a responsible one.
This will be easy to implement in municipally operated facilities, with the
appropriate promotion campaign and associated capital upgrades.
The banning of the use of non-recyclable utensils is not feasible. Efforts as
stated earlier will be made to implement the use of recyclables and
biodegradable products in our concession operations.
12.0 CONCURRENCE
This report has been reviewed by Joseph Caruana, Director of Community
Services; Marie Marano, Director of Corporate Services; Nancy Taylor, Director
of Finance.
CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the
following priorities of the Strategic Plan:
Promoting economic development
Maintaining financial stability
Connecting Clarington
X Promoting green initiatives
Investing in infrastructure
Showcasing our community
Not in conformity with Strategic Plan
Staff Contact: Fred Horvath, Director of Operations
George Acorn, Facilities Manager
REPORT NO.: OPD-005-12 PAGE 8
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Correspondence from Robyn Hamlyn
Attachment 2 - Summary of capital upgrades for bottle fill stations
List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision:
Robyn Hamlyn
Arena Boards
Hall Boards
Clarington Public Library
November 4, 2011
Ik
Mayor Adrian Foster
The Municipality of Clarington
40'relllperatice Street
Bowmativille, Ontario, L1C 3A6
Dear Mayor Foster,
Nty nalne is Robyn 1=lamlyn. I live in.Kingston, Ontario and I'm 13 years old.
In August I Met with my mayor, Mark.Gerl'etsell, to discuss a letter I wrote to hinl earlier.
This letter told (line about my woryles about our fresh water supply and that we had to (to
something Clow to help,
In.Tulle, lily teacher showed Lis a documentary called Blue Gold: World Water Wars and
it sliocked me, It showed us that;
1) Our earth holds 97% salt water and 3%fresh water, Almost all of that 3% is polluted,
2) We use tip water faster than it call be,replenished. Just around the Great Lakes, we
Pump almost 3.2 trillion litres of water a day, 7.6 billion litres do not bet returned,
3) Canada is a water rich country and as water becomes polluted, t11e rest of the world
will took to us for Avater, The Great Lakes are a maid target, What is really scary is that
they are saying this will probably Happen within 10 to 20 years from r1ow when fill a
young;adult.
This Information changed illy life, It niRde tue realize tho Bigger picture, that there's
going to boa huge water oollapse and possibly a war, in ten to twenty years. We're all
&01118 to be aptirt of it.
My rliayor listened to me and agreed that something had to be dome. I told him that I
wanted to make.Kingston £i Blue Con)Jim I)ity. In order for (his to happen, three,
resolutions needed to be passed. They are;
1) Ban the sate of bottled water In public facilities.
2) Recognize water as a human right..
3)Promote publicly owned and operated water and sanitation services.
He invited me to speak on September 20, 2011 to Kingston's City Council. I did and
Kingston was declared a Blue Colilmunity that night,
Attachment 1 to
Report No. OPD-005-12
I have lr goal and At is to make ail nwnieip Hdos in Ontario Blare Communities, After
that, I Want to approach ofirer provillces,
I kl�aw that I can do fins, bw I need your support,
Can I come and meet witl3 you to discuss these resolutions?
Sincereiy,
Robyn Ham l n
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Attachment 1 to
Deport No. OPD-005-12
Blue Communities — Community Services Recreation Facilities Capital Upgrades
Facility Location Existing Proposed Estimated Cost
South Courtice Pad A Bottle
Arena Fill/Drinking None $0
Fountain
Pad B Bottle
Fill/Drinking None $0
Fountain
Lobby Drinking fountain Bottle
Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Bowmanville Dressing Room Bottle
Indoor Soccer Hallway Fill/Drinking None $0
Fountain
Lobby None Bottle
Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Courtice Pool Deck Drinking None $0
Complex Fountain
Pool Change Drinking Bottle
Room Hallway Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Lobby Drinking Bottle
Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Gym Drinking Bottle
Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Clarington Pool Deck Drinking None $0
Fitness Centre Fountain
Change Room Drinking Bottle
Hallway Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Garnet Rickard Pad A Dressing Bottle Fill only None $0
Complex Room Hallway
Pad A Lobby Drinking Bottle
Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Pad B Lobby Drinking Bottle
Fountain Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Darlington Dressing Room Bottle Fill Only None $0
Sorts Centre Hallway
Lobby None Bottle
Fill/Drinking $4,000
Fountain
Total Estimated Capital Costs $36,000
The estimated costs for new bottle fill/drinking fountain units includes the cost of units,
installation and any plumbing modifications required for the installation.
Attachment 2 to
Report No. OPD-005-12