Environmental Services Committee/

Comité des services de l’environnement

Minutes 6/Procès-verbal 6

Tuesday, 12 June 2001, 9:30 a.m.

Le mardi 12 juin, 9h30

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West

Salle Champlain, 110, avenue Laurier ouest

Present /Présents: Councillors P. Hume (Chair), P. McNeely (Vice-Chair), D. Deans,

H. Kreling, W. Stewart and D. Thompson

Absent / Absents: Councillors G. Brooks, C. Doucet and G. Hunter

Declarations of Interest

No declarations of interest were received.

Confirmation of Minutes

The Minutes of the Environmental Services Committee meeting of 24 April 2001 and 22 May 2001 were confirmed.

PRESENTATIONS/

PRÉSENTATIONS

Councillor Phil McNeely / 9:30 a.m. / 9 h 30

Conseiller Phil McNeely

1. Tomorrow’s Society, It’s what I work for, An Environmental Micro-Business – Presentation by Jeanne-Sauvé Elementary Public School

La Société de demain, j’y travaille – Une micro-entreprise environnementale – Présentation de l’école élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé

Councillor McNeely introduced and welcomed the delegations from l’École élémentaire publique Jeanne Sauvé. Mr. George Orfali, the School Principal, Mrs. Lise Landel, the teacher-in-charge, and Mrs. Jacqueline Panneton-Qus, the translator and also a parent, accompanied the students. On May 7, 2001, he had the privilege of being present at the launching of an environmental micro-business – “Tomorrow’s Society, It’s What I Work for” at the aforementioned school, situated near his home in Cumberland Ward. This environmental micro-business program is the first of its kind established in Ontario, thanks to the support of Alcan and the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. He was so impressed with the combination of business experience coupled with recycling and the environment, he felt it was important to share and bring this program to the attention of the Committee. This program has been underway in 12 schools in Quebec, and at Jeanne Sauvé in Cumberland. Proposals are in place to expand this program to British Columbia, the United States, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand. Jeanne Sauvé is the only school in Ontario where this special project is being carried on. The whole school and the parents are all involved in this project. Councillor McNeely then turned over the presentation to Mr. Orfali.

On behalf of the students and their parents, Mr. Orfali thanked Councillor McNeely for the invitation and for the opportunity to talk about their school project, “La société de demain, j’y travaille”.

The mission of “La société de demain, j’y travaille” École élémentaire Jeanne Sauvé Inc. is to protect the environment and to heighten students’ awareness to the importance of recycling and the protection of natural resources. The micro-business’ activities are part of the school’s program. These activities consist of three phases – Phase #1 is the recycling of aluminium cans. He is very proud to advise that the School recycled more than 100,000 aluminium cans every year. Phase #2 is recycling paper and transforming the recycled paper into greeting cards that are sold to the community. Phase # 3 is recycling brown grocery bags. All of the 575 students, from junior kindergarten to grade 8, the parents and the teachers are all involved in and committed to the success of this project. Throughout their activities, the students learn and apply notions of Science, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Computer Science and Français. Each class is a shareholder, and students themselves decide how to reinvest the profits they make from the sale of their recycled products and thus integrate into their learning principles of management, production, marketing, planning and finances.

The students and the teacher-in-charge, Mrs. Lise Landel gave a detailed presentation on the various steps involved in the project.

development services department /

Services d’amÉnagement

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT UNIT

UnitÉ de gestion de l'environnement

2. Climate Change Program Presentation: Development of the Better Buildings Program and District Energy Initiative

PrÉsentation du Programme sur le changement climatique : Élaboration du programme d'immeubles ÉcoénÉrgétiques et du projet Énergétique de secteur

Mr. Dennis Jacobs, Director of Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy thanked the Committee for the opportunity to allow Development Services give the aforementioned presentation. He noted that this report emanates from the Development Services Department. Climate Change Action Program falls under his Branch and the Division of Community Design and Environment. Mr. Charles Wilson initiated this exciting project in the hope to capitalize on with partners from other levels of government and the private sector.

Using the Power Point feature, Mr. Charles Wilson gave the following presentation on the Better Buildings Program, a City program to improve the energy efficiency of local buildings.

Program Goals, 2002-07

•$170 million in local retrofit investment

•$25 million in annual utility savings

•100-1,000 full time jobs

•150,000 tonne reduction in annual emissions

Buildings and Climate Change

•Ottawa is Canada’s year 2000 municipal award winner on climate change action

–buildings, fleets, landfill, streetlights…

•buildings will be one element in a community-wide climate change action plan to be developed

–transportation, waste, land use planning, “clean” energy, outreach…

Emissions from Buildings

•energy use in buildings accounts for almost 50% of City-wide emissions

•to lower emissions from buildings – use less energy

Using Less Energy in Buildings

•insulation, building shell

•windows

•lighting

•control systems

•heating / air conditioning

Who Will the Program Target

•residential (42%)

•residential (42%)

•industrial (17%)

Commercial / Institutional Buildings Owners and Managers

•office, retail

•public buildings

•60,000 commercial / institutional buildings in Ottawa

Homeowners and Landlords

•286,000 potential clients in Ottawa

What Will the Program Provide

Municipal Incentives

•a one-time incentive (ex: reduced permit fee) for the construction or retrofit of a qualified building

Incentives from Partners

•federal and utility grant programs

•technical and financing assistance

A “Clearinghouse” Function

•Municipal and Partner Incentives «BBP «Clients

The City’s Role

•manage the clearinghouse

•develop and deliver municipal incentives

•partial program funding (~60%)

•develop the blueprint for replication in other municipalities

The Partners’ Role

•clients qualify for the municipal incentive by participating in a federal program

–new residential, R-2000

–new commercial, Commercial Building Incentive Proram - $80,000

–retrofit residential, Energuide for Houses

–retrofit commercial, Energy Innovators - $250,000

•direct program funding (~40%)

Partner Support

Federal Government

Ø$1.6 billion / 5 years

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Ø$125 million

Enbridge Consumers Gas

Ø$750,000 for Toronto BBP

Example: New Residential

•Minto builds an R-2000 model. The problem is the $4,500 incremental cost

•homeowners who choose the model would receive a one-time incentive from the City of Ottawa after feds certify

•Minto will reduce the incremental cost of their R-2000 homes in response to increased market demand

Example: Existing Commercial

•the problem with commercial retrofits: direct financial benefits go to tenants, not to building owners

•commercial building owners would receive a one-time incentive directly from the City, if

•they apply for the federal Commercial Building Incentive Program

•the BBP can accelerate the application to the federal program

Total Program Potential

economic

Ø$1.7 billion total retrofit investment, 15% ROI

Ø$250 million annual utility savings

job creation

Ø1,000–10,000 jobs in 10 years

Øtrades, engineering, financial, product

health

Øimproved air quality

Øimproved indoor air and building health

environmental

Ø1 million tonnes / year emission reduction

Next Steps in Program Development

•develop municipal incentives and procedures with City’s Legal, Financial and Building Services

•report to Committee and Council with a full cost-benefit analysis

•secure partner funding for 2002-03 pilot period

•no new City funds for 2002

Why Do This Now

•community competition

Økeep rental rates competitive and moderate fluctuating utility prices

•capital retention

Ø$1B spent locally on energy each year, 90% leaves the local economy

•infrastructure management

Øefficient buildings place 20-35% less demand on sewer, water and grid

•environmental imperative

ØOttawa can remain a municipal leader on climate change

Conclusions

•an essential program to reduce community emissions

•municipal incentives are the key to program success, and the time for this has never been better

•support from partners is mandatory

•a municipal investment in Ottawa’s quality of life, with measurable returns

“Clean” Energy Supplies

•“clean” energy supplies are essential to meet Ottawa’s emissions reduction targets

•a local District Energy initiative is at the business planning stage in 2001

•an eventual focus on co-generation, micro-turbines, other “green” energy sources

Councillor Deans thanked Mr. Wilson for his presentation. She noted that Mr. Wilson is one of the municipal assets brought over to the new City from the former City of Ottawa. She enquired about the costs – the City of Ottawa being responsible for about 60%, but there are no numbers in the presentation. Mr. Wilson advised that there is no overall costs of potential incentives to clients, and for this reason, he is actually working with legal, financial and building services staff to get an idea of what kind of permit revenues are being generated and straight up grant options. The number being considered is between $1 to 2 million for this particular incentive program. He clarified that the 60% number referred in his presentation is for program operating costs and the grant/incentive amount during the pilot project of the next couple of years, which is estimated at $1 million. There are capital and operating budgets from both the former City of Ottawa and the former Region for climate change. These budgets are still in existence and have not been increased. Any additional money required to run this program and deliver the incentives during the pilot period of 2002-2003 is being sought from partners such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Enbridge and the Federal Government.

Councillor Deans also enquired if there are any housing developers, other than Minto, which is being mentioned in the presentation, building R2000 energy efficient homes. Mr. Wilson responded that Minto is being used as an example and that there are a number of different developers building such homes. Minto has been the most aggressive in the program and is very interested.

Councillor Deans further enquired about how the City is doing in its own housing units with Ottawa Housing and City Living. Mr. Wilson advised that, $200,000 - 40% of the $0.5 million provided by Toronto to fund the residential part of this program, was targeted at subsidized low-income housing. The greatest ground made in the residential program has been with Ottawa Housing Corporation and staff is currently engaged in a program whereby one of the residential side service agents is taking a look at these residential dwellings, doing an energy audit to come forward with recommendations about ways to maximize the energy performance of these residential units. An energy service company has also been engaged to look at the multi residential/high-rise units.

Lastly, Councillor Deans enquired about how the City is doing here at City Hall and if we are a model of energy efficiency. Mr. Wilson advised that the former City of Ottawa had a great success in its energy efficiency program and this is being rolled into the new City. He noted the presence of John Holowka, who was recently hired in the Building Services Section to look at the energy performance of City owned facilities. Negotiations are underway with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for approximately $1 million to accelerate the retrofit package. A report on retrofitting 50 major facilities will be at Council by the autumn. Funds in the amount of $100,000 have been approved by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to do an audit of buildings acquired during the amalgamation process.

Councillor Deans introduced and welcomed a delegation from her ward – the Grade 7 Art Class students of Roberta Bondar Public School to the Committee. The Art Class is here to see the arts at City Hall.

Councillor Thompson was very pleased with the presentation. His questions were similar to Councillor Deans’ questions. He is interested in what is being done with City properties and buildings. He advised that, in the former Township of Osgoode, there is a fairly recent energy audit of its buildings. Lighting fixtures in arenas were changed to more energy efficient ones. He is encouraged that City properties are being looked at.

Mr. Wilson agrees that the City of Ottawa needs to be a leader in the community. He pointed out that the former City of Ottawa invested $4 million in retrofitting City facilities.

Councillor McNeely informed the Committee of his opportunity, in the absence of Chair Hume, to accept a prize won by Mr. Charles Wilson and Ms. Mary Anne Strong on energy program. He feels that this is a very good program and the City should be a leader in the environment. He asked that the program be started as soon as possible.

Mr. Wilson is very optimistic about this program and a report will be at Council in the autumn.

Councillor Stewart thanked Mr. Wilson for a very informative presentation. She enquired about the necessary financial support from various partners referred to by Mr. Wilson in his presentation. She wondered as to what would happen to this project if financial support is not acquired. Mr. Wilson advised that, in the event that no partner funding comes through, there would still be a program, but in a very limited way. Incentives offered to commercial clients would be done in house by helping them to fast track paper work to get Federal funding, which would be no cost incentive. He is going to Toronto in order to negotiate with Enbridge head office. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities came forward twice looking to seed money into this program. This program still makes good sense without external funding and we would have to limit the incentives.

Councillor Hume enquired on how the District Energy Initiative relates to the Better Building Program. He wondered whether it is competition or complimentary.

Mr. Wilson noted that he did not focus on the District Energy Initiative in his presentation although it is definitely complimentary to the Better Buildings Program. He advised the Committee of a meeting two weeks ago with all the stakeholders to move this initiative forward. The Better Building Program focuses on reducing demand and the District Energy Initiative focuses on improving supply. Councillor Hume asked that Mr. Wilson come to a future meeting to give a presentation on the District Energy Initiative.

Mr. Wilson agreed to do so and it would be a similar presentation explaining what is in development, why it is in development and giving some estimates of costs and timelines.

Councillor Thompson read the following short article from the National Post – “New Zealand is planning a tax on livestock to offset damage caused by gases to the ozone layer. The Government could levy between $2 and $35 per farmer for each cow and sheep they own because of the gases given off by the animals’ dung, urine or flatulence.” He wanted reassurance from Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Wilson that this would not happen to the City of Ottawa.

INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED/

INFORMATION DISTRIBUÉE AUPARAVANT

3. Kings Park Communal Well

Puits commun du parc Kings

The Committee received a memorandum dated 23 May 2001 from the Director of Utility Services Branch, Department of Transportation, Utilities and Public Works on the aforementioned subject, in response to Councillor Wendy Stewart’s inquiry raised at the Committee meeting of 13 March. (Copy on file with the City Clerk. – Ref.: ACM7150/0200.)

4. Trail Waste Facility Landfill Environmental Assessment - Public Consultation Update

Évaluation environnementale de la dÉcharge contrÔlÉe du chemin Trail - Le point sur la consultation publique

The Committee received memorandum dated 23 May 2001 from the Director of Utility Services Branch, Department of Transportation, Utilities and Public Works on the aforementioned subject. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a brief update on the process for the public consultation and Council approval points for the Environmental Assessment Project. (Copy on file with the City Clerk. – Ref.: ACM7150/0200.)

5. Water Meter Installers – Required Qualifications

Installateurs de compteurs d'eau - Exigences de qualification

The Committee received a memorandum dated 23 May 2001 from the Director of Utility Services Branch, Department of Transportation, Utilities and Public Works on the aforementioned subject. This memorandum was provided for information, following the Ontario Labour Relations Board’s (OLRB) decision that will require certified plumbers to install, replace and test water meters. (Copy on file with the City Clerk. – Ref.: ACM7150/0200.)

OTHER BUSINESS

AUTRES QUESTIONS

Confirmation of Summer Meeting Dates

Raffermissement des dates de réunions durant l’été

• Committee Meeting June 26 – Committee Report to Council on July 11
• Committee Meeting: July 10 - Committee Report to Council on August 8
• Committee Meeting: August 14 – Committee Report to Council on September 12

• Réunion du comité, le 26 juin – rapport du comité au Conseil, le 11 juillet
• Réunion du comité, le 10 juillet – rapport du comité au Conseil, le 8 août
• Réunion du comité, le 14 août – rapport du comité au Conseil, le 12 septembre.

Councillor Deans wants to make sure that all Councillors get some holidays this summer. She also wants to know when are the down weeks and how this Committee’s summer schedule relates to all other committee meetings.

After a brief discussion, the Committee confirmed the aforementioned summer meeting schedule, subject to the following motion:

Moved by Councillor Deans:

“That the August 14^th Meeting be tentatively brought forward to August 7, 2001, with its reports rising at the September 12 City Council meeting.”

CARRIED

Moved by Councillor Thompson:

“That the Committee move In Camera to consider Agenda Item No.1 of the Confidential Agenda pursuant to Section 12(1) of the Procedure By-Law:

· Litigation or potential litigation affecting the City, including matters before administrative tribunals.”

CARRIED

Following the aforementioned In Camera discussion, the Committee resume in open session.

NEXT MEETING

PROCHAINE RÉUNION

26 June 2001

Le 26 juin 2001

The Chair brought to the attention of the Committee that the next meeting would resume at

8:30 a.m. and the only item for consideration would be an overview from Mr. Ron Stewart, President / Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Ottawa on the energy market and the situation. There will be a time constraint because of the taxi market debate at the Emergency and Protective Services Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The Committee adjourned its meeting at 11:10 a.m.

_________________________ _________________________

Committee Coordinator Chair