Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-19 Minutes SUSTAINABLE CLARINGTON COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of Meeting of September 19, 2013, 6:00 P.M. BOARDROOM 1A Present: Mike Dymarski Suzanne Elston Allan Hewitt Councillor Hooper Lorraine Jones Kira Nowick Michael Patrick Absent: Neil Allin Mayor Foster Kerry Meydam Also Present: Curry Clifford, Corporate Initiatives Officer 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Committee Chair Michael Patrick welcomed the Committee and guests. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 18, 2013 MEETING Moved by Suzanne Elston and seconded by Mike Dymarski that the minutes of the July 18, 2013 meeting be approved. Carried. 3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES The Committee had before them email correspondence from Mary Drummond of Durham Integrated Growers (DIG) following up on her July discussion with the Committee about community gardens. She requested that DIG be consulted in the Municipality's review of this policy. Moved by Suzanne Elston and seconded by Mike Dymarski, that the Committee recommend to Council that the Municipality consult Durham Integrated Growers in reviewing its community gardens policy. Carried The Committee had before them email correspondence from Peter Windolf clarifying the Municipality's role in trails and paths. This item was received as information. 4. COMMITTEE TASK #2: 4.a. Discussion with guests on priority item #1: Promoting active and healthy modes of Sustainable Clarington -2- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee transportation including planning and implementing pedestrian and bicycle transportation links within and between communities and the ancillary services to make this feasible. The Committee met with: Faye Langmaid, Manager, Special Projects, Clarington Planning Services Department Ron Albright, Infrastructure Manager, Clarington Engineering Department Peter Windolf, Park Development Manager, Clarington Engineering Department Jeff Brooks, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning, Region's Planning & Eco Dev Sandra McEleney, Planning Analyst, Region's Planning & Eco Dev Dept Kevin Anyan, Bowmanville Valleys 2000 The Committee had before them responses to their 10 questions from the first four guests and a memo from Faye Langmaid highlighting sections of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Discussion Paper and the Discussion paper itself. Ms. Langmaid also handed out and discussed three documents: • a summary of the history of the planning and development of trails in Clarington since 1991. Key points included: • the overall concept for planning was "lungs of green" between the urban areas with trails (ribbon) along the waterfront and nodes (gems) for the urban areas to be achieved through the siting of district parks on the waterfront for each of the urban areas • major east-west trails are Oak Ridges Moraine and Waterfront • valleylands are the potential trail linkages north/south from the urban areas into the countryside • the anchors are forests (two major natural areas in the north) and two anchors in the south one on each side of the Municipality, being Darlington Provincial Park and the future plans for the Port Granby area • the starting point for action on developing trails was the adoption by Clarington of the Crombie Commission's proposed Waterfront Trail. Through agreements with public entities, e.g., Ontario Hydro, CLOCA and the acquisition of lands at Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, Bennett Road and lands around Port Darlington, implementation of that vision is well underway with the goal to allow the public to access Lake Ontario • the additional trails have been developed through partnerships and sponsorships with a range of seven different community organizations, e.g., Lions- Newcastle, Lions- Courtice, Valleys 2000-Bowmanvile. • a graphic illustrating how (a) municipal land-use planning is a balancing of the three spheres of sustainability (environment, economic and social) and (b) the tiering of Clarington's Official Plan under the Regional Official Plan which is under legislation and policy on the Oak Ridges Moraine, Places to Grow, Greenbelt and other planning legislation which in turn is under the Provincial Policy Statement of the Planning Act • a table showing the status of seven different proposed Clarington planning policies and indicating that these will be developed as Official Plan amendments this Fall Sustainable Clarington -3- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee and will be put before Council for decision in February, e.g. natural heritage policy, parks, open space and trails policy, countryside policy. Mr Albright noted that the Engineering Services Department is in the process of developing a Transportation Master Plan (CTMP) that will include a specific Active Transportation component, e.g., trails and paths. The CTMP will provide policy recommendations related to active transportation and the continued integration of active transportation modes into an overall transportation strategy. This will be considered by Clarington Council through its review of the CMTP, the OP review processes and through future Capital Budgets. He noted that public meetings to date show there is strong interest in active transportation and a further public meeting will be held in November. Mr. Windolf noted that the CTMP includes both on and off-road cycling routes and once the CTMP has been completed it will show how they can best be integrated. (Clarington currently has approximately 20km of off-road trails (not including the Oakridges Moraine Trail) that are used both for recreation and transportation. Since 2001 Clarington has constructed over 12km of recreational trails in the Bowmanville Valley, Soper Creek Valley, Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, Graham Creek and along the Lake Ontario Waterfront trail. The most recent trail project was completed in 2012 when a bridge and asphalt trail were constructed to create a link from the Bowmanville Valley Trail to the residential areas in south Bowmanville. The municipality's capital budget forecasts future trails along the Farewell Creek, Bowmanville Creek and Soper Creek.) Mr. Brooks noted that the Regional Government is currently implementing the Regional Cycling Plan and developing communications about it. (The Plan was updated in 2012 and included financing and implementation policies. The Plan identifies a Primary Cycling Network, containing key Regional Roads, where cycling facilities should be implemented, and integrated with area municipal cycling initiatives.) Ms. McEleney noted that the Regional Government does not have a mandate to develop trails. Instead the Region's advisory committee on recreational trail development known as the Durham Trail Coordinating Committee (DTCC) (made up of eight citizen volunteers and eight regional councillors from each of the area municipalities) is focussed on mapping trails and promoting their use. Mr. Anyan referenced his July meeting with the Committee. (The work of Bowmanville Valleys 2000 started just before the year 2000 with the goal of developing pathways along the Bowmanville Valley whose lands are owned by the Municipality and private landowners (CLOCA is not a landowner in this area). Work was lead by volunteers Al Strike (recently deceased) and Frank Lockhart who continues to provide significant volunteer time leading the work as well as undertaking tree planting. The group's work has grown into ecological and watershed management, reforestation and major infrastructure projects like the fish ladder.) He indicated that it would be useful to learn if there is a need for year-round use of trails. Ms Langmaid referenced her experience in Sustainable Clarington -4- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee Windsor where it was determined that this matter could best be answered by directly asking users and in that municipality's case it was determined that the need was there. Mr. Windolf introduced Mr. Jim Boate of the Beech Street Spinners, a cycling group. The Chair invited Mr. Boate to comment. He indicated he was pleased with Clarington's involvement of his group in planning cycling routes, stressed the importance of the Waterfront Trail and referenced the "Bicycle Friendly Community" designation that emphasizes safety and connecting cycling paths. The Committee discussed with the guests a number of matters and learned that: In regard to trails: • key success factors in the development and maintenance of trails in Clarington include: • collaborating with community groups to plan and operate trails • securing financing for the development of trails (Development Charges may be used in Clarington for this purpose) • budgeting for maintenance when the decision is made to proceed with the capital expenditure to construct the trail • there is no current work on signing Clarington's trails although that is seen as useful • concern of Valleys 2000 include: • Municipality's frequency of monitoring of the maintenance of the trails • the ability of this volunteer group to continue to maintain the trail given there are few volunteers and their capacity is at risk • the condition of the duck pond (beginning to silt up) • the decision-making roles and responsibilities of the various players involved in the Bowmanville Valley • the need to resolve a policy question arising about what is a trail - should it be considered a natural feature in which case if it deteriorates, then the path is re-routed or should it be considered part of the active transportation infrastructure (like a sidewalk) in which case it maintained to a certain standard • Staff encouraged Valleys 2000 to bring their concerns to the attention of the Municipality to resolve. In regard to paths: • the planning of the Greenbelt cycling route includes co-ordination with neighbouring municipalities (Oshawa and Northumberland) to ensure integration • most of Clarington's cycling paths run north-south and it is hoped that the Regional Cycling Plan will provide for east-west travel • the provincial government has just released an Ontario Cycling Strategy, a broad policy document and next steps will include consultation with municipalities on financing cycling infrastructure Sustainable Clarington -5- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee In regard to trails and paths: • Clarington's trail standards have been developed for purposes of providing both walking and cycling • permeable pavement is not in use and other municipalities' experience with it is being reviewed. The Committee asked guests what future actions should be taken. It was suggested: • by Mr. Anyan that the Bowmanville Valley be turned into a (small Y') regional park to ensure its viability and to clear any confusion about responsibility for its planning and maintenance. • by Ms. Langmaid that the Committee review the comments from community organizations as documented on p. 31-32 of the Discussion Paper on Parks, Open Spaces and Trails. This will highlight the public's views on the issues and preferences on this matter. • by Ms. Langmaid and Mr. Windolf that trails and paths have consistently been identified as important by Clarington residents - through broad surveys of all services, strategic planning surveys and surveys and comments received on land-use planning policy and transportation planning proposals. • by Ms. McEleney that the Committee bring together planning, health and environmental objectives in developing its recommendations in order to optimize public benefits of any municipal or community action. Committee members noted: • the potential for confusion about the responsibility for planning and maintenance in this priority subject • the trails and paths provide an effective way of connecting the rural and urban populations of Clarington. 4.b. Discussion with guests on priority item #6: Educating the business community on sustainability, including education about how to: take full advantage of recycling programs; select products with reduced packaging; "go green" in business operations and the energy conservation audits, sustainability programs and incentives available for this purpose; attract green businesses and green jobs to the community and inventory this; encourage residents to shop locally; encourage farmers markets success. The Committee met with: Brian Kelly, Manager of Sustainability, Region's CAO's Office Melanie Walls, Key Accounts Representative, Veridian Connections Laura Wood, Economic Development Co-ordinator, Clarington Board of Trade Gaby Waller, Project Coordinator, Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association The Committee had before them responses to their 10 questions from the first 3 guests. Mr. Kelly noted that he was in attendance to speak on behalf of the Regional Government and Durham SustainAbility, a not for profit organization that the Region has partnered with to create Durham Partners in Project Green, to provide advice to Durham businesses on reducing their energy costs — and in future, water and waste costs. Of 18 Sustainable Clarington -6- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee Local Action Plan projects of the Regional Government's Climate Change work, this is the one that is funded and underway. Information, incentives and complimentary energy assessments are provided to businesses through this program. Funding is provided by the Region of Durham, Town of Ajax, City of Pickering, Township of Uxbridge and electric and natural gas utilities serving Durham. Ms. Walls noted that Veridian administers the "saveONenergy" program for businesses that is funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The latter has set a target for Veridian of conserving electricity by Dec 31, 2014 to the equivalent of the usage by 29,000 homes. The program is part of Veridian's licensing agreement with the OPA and helps fund energy audits, replace inefficient equipment and provides incentives for controlling and reducing energy demand at specific times. Ms. Wood noted that the Clarington Board of Trade promotes the above programs to its 300 members and the other approximately 1000 businesses in Clarington. (The CBOT notes that for the business community to take a stronger interest in conservation there needs to be demonstrated success and measureable return on investment and perhaps success would be enhanced through a pilot project with support from the community to set Clarington' business community above the rest.) Ms Waller noted that Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association is a not for profit group that represents farmers who have products for sale directly to consumers and through farmers markets (including one in Newcastle). The Association markets its products through an annual brochure, website, social media, radio and print advertising and road signage. Its objective is to promote awareness of the availability of local food. The Committee discussed with the guests a number of matters and learned that: • Partners in Project Green is modelled after a program in the Pearson Airport area with a catchment area of some 12,000 businesses employing 355,000 people. Energy cost savings there are reported at 20%-30% • While comparable figures were not noted for Durham, Mr. Kelly indicated that Durham is no where near mining the energy efficiency opportunities that are available • Efforts to date in Durham have focussed on networking, education and training, energy audits and promoting green businesses • Partners in Project Green operates on a $120,000 a year budget • Durham SustainAbility has recently received a $200,000 Trillium grant • The key issue for Veridian with the "saveONenergy" program is creating awareness of it • The CBOT has approached Clarington's approximately 100 manufacturers about the programs for business and a common response is that they do not have the time available to pursue these programs. The Committee asked guests what future actions should be taken. It was suggested: • by Ms. Wood that illustrating the tangible benefit for business of these programs could assist in increasing their take-up Sustainable Clarington -7- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee • by Mr. Kelly that Clarington: • provide, as three other area municipalities have, modest financial support of $5,000 per year to Durham Partners in Project Green • as a municipality and its businesses use the Project's services • as a Municipality should set targets for Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and challenge the business community to also set targets • by Ms. Walls that Clarington assist Veridian to create greater awareness of the electrical energy saving programs • by Ms. Waller that: • a year-round farmers market would benefit the community and farmers • the organization be included in more Clarington promotional material • tourism benefits for Clarington of the Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association's work be recognized and funded by the municipality, with each area municipality in Durham providing funding on a per capita basis similar to funding formulas used to fund arts and culture organizations. Committee members noted that: • there is a confusing array of programs available in this priority subject • Clarington should consider joining the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program — a program offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in partnership with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability which uses a five- milestone framework to guide communities in assessing and reducing green house gas emissions • Clarington's rural/urban mix provides interesting opportunities to connect Farm Fresh's work with the needs of the urban population. 4.c. Discussion with guests on priority item # 7: Communicating strategically to residents and businesses the range of existing programs available to Clarington residents and businesses that help them live and do business in more sustainable ways. The Committee met with Jennifer Cooke, Communications & Tourism Manager, Clarington Corporate Services. The Committee had before them responses to their 10 questions from Ms. Cooke about Clarington's communications services as well as responses from Joanne Paquette, Communications Manager (Works) with the Region of Durham about the Region's communications services. Mr. Clifford explained that the Region's Communications staff were unable to attend and that Mr. Kelly was available to take back to Ms. Paquette any questions about her responses. Ms. Cooke indicated that the Municipality uses a range of means of communicating including a municipal blog, social media, media advisories, booths at community events and paid advertising. She noted that if the internal client gives her what they wish to have communicated, then she will communicate it. The number of visits to the Municipality's website is about one million/year and the amount of blogging has increased substantially. Sustainable Clarington -8- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee Committee members noted that: • it is difficult to find material on the Municipality's website and perhaps more resources are necessary to address this important, large and complex matter. Ms. Cooke noted that the website is currently being revamped internally and will be organized by customer needs rather than municipal organizational structure • communications about existing programs is critical to enabling residents and businesses to live and do business in more sustainable ways and is all part of delivering on the Committee's terms of reference of developing recommendations that "would foster a community-wide culture of sustainability in Clarington". 5. OVERVIEW DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE'S NEXT STEPS, INCLUDING CONNECTING WITH FINDINGS FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY The Committee had before them: 1. An email of Sept 11 from Mr. Clifford advising that: (a) the Municipality had recently completed a customer service survey which found Clarington residents ranked four key natural environment matters in the top 10 of 33 services in importance, including: pubic parks: 91% ranked as important; preservation of the natural: 90%; beaches/waterfront: 88%; trails and paths: 86% (b) the findings in (a) are reflective of the review this past Spring by the Committee of the 2010 Green Community Strategy's 58 suggestions. As Mr. Clifford reported on May 13t", protecting, promoting and sustaining Clarington's natural environment was an overarching theme in the comments of members in assessing which of these suggestions should be given priority. 2. An email of September 16 from Committee Chair M. Patrick proposing: that the Committee host a community gathering on a Saturday in late Fall to set a vision for and begin action planning on Clarington's natural environment. Guests representing the three pillars of sustainability would be invited to participate. The results of this event would (a) provide a key input to the Committee's Task#3 (other actions suggested to foster a culture of sustainability) and (b) help inform the Transportation Master Plan as well as the OP review. It would be financed through the latter. The Committee discussed the proposal, focussing on whether the proposed scope and audience should be broadened to deal with a wider range of sustainability matters and whether the timing of the event should be moved out to the new year to allow more time to prepare. On the matter of scope, Mr. Kelly from the Region of Durham suggested that the proposal sounded much like developing an integrated community sustainability plan (ICSP). He and Committee member S. Elston suggested that the Committee consider moving to develop a product of this broader scope. Sustainable Clarington -9- Sept 19, 2013 Community Advisory Committee Mr. Clifford clarified that the proposed community gathering was narrower in scope — only a component of sustainability — the natural environment. He indicated: • this narrower focus would be consistent with the finding that the natural environment is a priority for the community • limitations of time and money available would mean a broader scope may not be feasible • a scoping of this nature would mean that results may be achieved more quickly as broad policy work is already well underway on this matter through the current land-use planning policy work of the Municipality which is in large part focussed on natural environment matters • the event, as described, would serve as key input into the Committee's Task#3- recommending actions that would foster a community-wide culture of sustainability in Clarington. There was no consensus reached on either the scope or timing matter and no decision was made on the proposal. The Committee determined that the Chair and Mr. Clifford would develop a draft proposal for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting (Oct 17") about how best to address its Task#1 (the recommended priorities from the 58 suggestions made in the Green Community Strategy) and #2 (the Committee's suggested further steps to best implement what it deems to be the highest priorities). Based on the results of the next meeting discussion, a decision would be made about when to present recommendations to Council and this would be at some point before the Christmas break. 6. COMMITTEE TASK # 3: ANY ITEMS COMMITTEE MEMBERS WISH TO RAISE There were no items raised on this section of the agenda. 7. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business raised. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.