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Home My WebLink AboutCAO-002-14 Clarington REPORT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: March 31, 2014 Resolution #: (369'9X1-1Y By-law#: Report#: CAO-002-14 File #: Subject: FOLLOW-UP ON TASK 1 & 2 REPORT OF THE SUSTAINABLE CLARINGTON COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council that Report CAO-002-14 be received for information. o� Submitted by: Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer CC:FW CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CAO- 002-14 PAGE 2 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of this report is to follow-up on Council's November 18, 2013 decision (#GPA Resolution 547-13) to accept the November 4, 2013 recommendations of the Sustainable Clarington Community Advisory Committee for a report that identifies and recommends actions to improve co-ordination on a number of items from the 2010 Green Community Strategy Report that they believed should be given priority. 1.2 More specifically, the Committee's November 4th report (Known as Task 1 & 2 Report) recommended that Council ask each Department, the Regional Municipality of Durham and Veridian Connections to report on these matters, with regard to: • water conservation in existing development (Region) • advisory services and incentives to the business community on energy and water conservation (Region and Veridian Connections) • community gardens, including bringing Durham Integrated Growers into a review of the Municipality's policies especially around insurance and closing the gap between the supply of garden plots and the demand for them (Clarington) • planting native plants on public lands, including the respective roles of Clarington, the Region and the conservation authorities (Clarington). 1.3 The following item was also included in the above list of items recommended by the Committee in its November 4th report: "Trails and paths, including how to most efficiently and effectively co-ordinate bringing the long sought linking of the paths into being and to realize the full economic and tourism benefits of the trails and paths (Clarington)". However, the Committee, at its February 13th meeting recommended and the GPA at its March 17th meeting concurred that: "Council defer asking staff to report on administrative co-ordination of trails and paths as suggested in the Committee's Task 1 & 2 report as trails and paths is a subject that the Committee believes very important in Clarington's sustainability (and that Clarington residents viewed as very important in the customer service survey) and it would be premature at this point for staff to report on this administrative matter as the Committee will be making some further recommendations about it that may suggest some broader work on this subject." 2. CO-ORDINATION OF THE IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES 2.1 The response from the Region on both the water conservation matter and on the advisory services and incentives to the business community on energy and water conservation is set out in Attachment 1. No further action from the Municipality of Clarington is required at this time on this matter. REPORT NO.: CAO- 002-14 PAGE 3 2.2 The response from Veridian on advisory services and incentives to the business community on energy and water conservation is set out in Attachment 2. No further action from the Municipality of Clarington is required at this time on this matter. 2.3 The two community gardens are the responsibility of the Operations Department. Workload priorities mean that they will be able to review the Municipality's policies regarding community gardens by the fourth quarter. They will, at that time, discuss the insurance matter with the Municipality's risk management lead and will consult Durham Integrated Growers on the Municipality's policies and closing the gap between the supply of garden plots and the demand for them. Any proposed changes arising from this that may have financial implications would be brought forward with the 2015 Budget proposal. 2.4 Planting native plants on public lands is an activity that involves Clarington, the conservation authorities and the Regional government. 2.5 For Clarington, the responsibility for new tree plantings rests with the Engineering Department, following Council approved policies. Its role on planting projects includes: 1) Reviewing and approving street tree planting plans for new roads built by developers 2) Managing the design and construction of parks, trails and open spaces, including any planting included in those projects 3) Coordinating planting projects by community groups on municipal land. There has been some coordination on native planting projects in the past, primarily at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area (SWNA) where Clarington has GRCA representation on the SWNA Committee. GRCA has provided trees for Earth Day planting projects on several occasions. The SWNA has also received trees through the Trees for Rural Roads program, jointly co-ordinated by the Planning Department and the conservation authorities. 2.6 In terms of the conservation authorities (CAs), each actively plant native species on public lands within their jurisdiction in Clarington. CA owned lands are planted with native species when warranted, however much of these properties are well forested already, or require some open space for recreational opportunities. The CAs also plant native species on properties owned by the Municipality, when approval is granted and funding is available as noted above. This has resulted in great municipal/conservation authority partnership projects such as the work done in Orono Park in 2013. The CAs also assist local organizations that mange public lands (e.g., Orono Crown Land Trust and Kendal Crown Lands). This assistance is given through technical advice, financial assistance through CAs or other funding programs, or on the ground REPORT NO.: CAO- 002-14 PAGE 4 projects. However, much of this public land is already well forested (e.g., Orono Crown Land). 2.7 Clarington is currently awaiting details of the Region's proposed 5 Million Trees project and this may involve a coordinated effort between municipalities and the CAs for projects on both public and private land. 3. CONCLUSION 3.1 Co-ordination is underway on the identified priorities of water conservation, advisory services to businesses on energy and water conservation and the planting of native plants on public lands. Co-ordination on community gardens will be reviewed later this year by the Operations Department with an eye to involving Durham Integrated Growers and any changes with financial implications will be brought forward in the 2015 Budget proposals. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN —The recommendations contained in this report conform to 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: Curry Clifford, MPA, CMO, Corporate Initiatives Officer Attachments: Attachment 1 - Letter from Region of Durham Attachment 2 - Letter from Veridian ATTACHMENT NO,I TO REPORT%0-002-14 * ** x.974.20.4 Join the celAe March 7, 2014 The keglonal Municipality The Municipality of Clarington of Dmrham 40 Temperance Street Works Department Sowmanville, ON L1 C 3A6 605 Rossland Rd,E. Po BoX623 Attention: Mr. Curry Clifford, Corporate Initiatives Officer Whitby,ON i..1 N 6A3 Canada , ' Dear Mr. Clifford: 805-6687711 1-800-372-1102 Fax;905.668-2 059 Re: Response to the Municipality of Clarington Council's E-mail: information Request Related to the Coordination of the works @durham.ca Municipality of Clarington's and the Regional www.durham.oa. Municipality of Durham's Water and Energy Conservation Efforts We are writing in response to recommendations presented to Clarington Council concerning the Regional Municipality of D irham's (Region) water and energy conservation programming, The Municipality of Clarington's Sustainable Clarington Community Advisory Committee (SCCAC) presented a report to Clarington Council's November 18, 2013 meeting. This was a SCCAC progress report. The SCCAC progress report included several.questions and recommendations pertaining to Durham Region's water and energy . conservation programs. Clarington informed Durham Regional Clerk via a letter dated December 16th 2013 (2014-WC-5) of a request,-, The SCCAC recommendations which relate to the Regions-Water Conservation program are as follows; + Recommendation 2(a)- identify and recommend actions to improve coordination on each of the priorities they have responsibility for; o Water conservation in existing development o Advisory services and incentives to the business community on energy and water conservation Mr. Curdy Clifford March 7, 2014 Page 2 +� Recommendation 3(b)-financial and implementation plan for advisory services and incentives for businesses on energy and water conservation. Durham Region takes an active role in the community to promote water and energy conservation for the residential and commercial sectors through the Water Efficient Durham program. Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change'also addresses these Issues in the community. Over the last fifteen years, Water Efficient Durham has distributed free rain gauges through a network of garden centres and municipal offices. Over 190,000 gauges have been distributed to date to reduce excessive summer water use. These garden centres also distribute the Fusion Landscaping Guide for Homeowners. For seventeen years, the Works Department has been supporting the Durham Children's Water Festival technically and financially, The Festival'is organized by the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. The festival teaches 5,000 grade three students about all the ways they interact with water through more than twenty activity centres. The festival runs for one week each September. . Regional staff work closely with a number of Clarington's departments. Several Regional Works and Planning staff are contributing to the Priority Green Clarington project currently underway. This project is showcasing what local municipalities and new homebuilders can do to improve water and energy conservation beyond the Ontario Building Code. The project will measure the water and energy improvements and provide Return on Investment calculations for each. This study will be completed in March of 2015, The Region's water conservation outreach to Durham businesses entails providing education, facilitation and technical support. Water Efficient Durham's water conservation outreach also includes information for the business community on water loss prevention. Water conservation and water loss prevention outreach also benefits from experience gained while undertaking water audits at a wide variety of Regional facilities, These audits encompass both indoor and outdoor water uses. This information is then shared with the business community through the communications methods cited above. If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Co-ordinator at 1800-372-1102 ext. 2009. Mr. Curry Clifford March 7,2014 Page 3 The Legion promotes energy conservation in the Durham business community through the Durham Partners in Project Green (DPPG) program which provides free energy assessments and assistance in applying for the substantial financial incentives for energy efficiency investments available through the Ontario Power Authority and Enbridge Gas. DPPG'also-offers training, mentoring and networking opportunities for businesses.on eco-efficiency, climate change and sustainabiiity. DPPG is operated by Durham Sustain Ability and is financially supported by the Region of Durham, local electricity and gas utilities and several of the local municipalities in Durham. To date, DPPG has undertaken 56 Eco-Efficiency Assessments of Durham businesses resulting in at least 11 energy retrofit projects being completed through utility incentives. Durham Region will continue to review programs in cooperation with local municipalities on water and energy conservation programs. Regional staff continue to research new ways of working with various stakeholders related to improving water conservation and energy efficiency. Please feel free to contact me should you require additional Information at 905-668-7711 ext. 8520, Yours truly, hn Presta, P. Eng. Director, Environmental Services Cc: Cuff Curtly, P. Eng., Commissioner of Works Brian Kelly, Manager, Sustainabiiity "SvnICe lwxca)lense ior.ou��arrrm�nittes" If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Co-ordinator at 1-804-372-1102 ext. 2008. ATTACHMENT NO.2 TO REPORT CAO-002-14 VER D IAN 55 Taunton Road`East CONN ECTIONS Ajax,ON UT 3V3 TEL(905)427-9870 TEL 1-888-445-2881 FAX(905)619-0210 ------:- February 10, 2014 wwwveridian.on._c>a....:....:.:.:: Curry Clifford Corporate Initiatives Officer The Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance St Bowmanville, ON LIC 3A6 Mr. Clifford, In response to Clarington Council's Sustainable Clarington Community Advisory Committee request to have Veridian identify and recommend actions to improve the coordination on each ofthe priorities they have responsibility for namely being, advisory services and incentives to the business community on energy conservation,, I can advise that we (Verldian) are currently engaged with Durham Sustainability, Durham Partners in Project Green and the Region of Durham on promotion and community involvement within these energy conservation and incentive programs for business, With funding from the Ontario Power Authority, Veridian provides a suite of saveONenergy conservation programs designed to help business customers conserve energy, manage their electricity use and contribute to a culture of conservation. Veridian's saveONenergy programs for businesses help fund energy audits, replace inefficient equipment, and provide incentives for controlling and reducing electricity demand at specific times. What Veridian has done to promote conservation, create awareness and engage our Business customers in Clarington: Hosted CBOT Ask An Expert Lunch and Learn—February 27, 2013 i CBOT Annual Golf Tournament sponsor—promoted saveONenergy for Business programs * Static CBOT Advertising on website • Transit Shelter Advertising (Baseline and 57)for 16 weeks • Ad hoc E-blasts promoting saveONenergy for business program updates • Advertisement in CBOT's monthly newsletter • CBOT Directory 2012 advertisement • Durham Trade &Commerce quarterly advertisement • Regional Retrofit Program Breakfast Information Sessions The power to make your community better. Verldian Connections Is a wholly owned subsldiary of Veridian corporation � 7� � �� 55�� »� ��l��—��J��{x� ---~~~'~~ C O N N C C T | O N 5 Ajax, ON L1T3V3 TEL(905)42F9870 TEL 1-888-445-2881 FAX C;05>619'0210 * Arena advertising at Garnett B. Arena wwwxohV|an.on.cu * Promoted 405 Lake Road Investments as 2011 Conservation Champion in local paper ~ Energy Summit sponsor 0 Vehd|on'n 2 Key Account Representatives (Melanie VVu|ls and KirsLen HUtka) attend CBOT's lunch networking sessions oD on-going basis VmMdion continues partnership with plans to promote conservation, create awareness and engage our Business customers in C|ar/DXton for 2014: v Hosting a CBOT Ask An Expert Lunch and Learn—March 19, 3014 v CBOT Annual Golf Tournament sponsor—promoted saveONenergy for Busines's programs * Static CBOT Advertising on vxebs|te « Ad hoc E'b/aoix promoting saveONonnrgy for business program updates w Advertisement iDCBDT'y monthly newsletter 0, CBOT Directory 2014 advertisement • Durham Trade & Commerce quarterly advertisement • Regional Retrofit Program Breakfast Information Sessions • Arena advertising at Garnett B. Arena • Energy Summit sponsor • Vodd|mx'o 2 Kay Account Representatives (Melanie Walls and Kirston Hutka\ attend CBOYS lunch networking sessions on on-going basis our goal is to work cooperatively and engagingly with-other naanurcmn in the Municipality to ensure the knowledge of our programs is put forth and have |nou\ businesses benefit from the incentives being offered. --' — Key Accounts Representative The power to make your community better. Venman Connections u"wholly owned subsidiary mwau. o^rp"=m"n ��