HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSIC - 2011-05-30 - 2011 Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) Application - CREW - Kitchener Solar City InitiativePLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 11.2011 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER
CSD-11-043 -ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION ZC 09/06/COK/HH
- VICTORIA STREET NORTH
"That City-initia#ed Zone Change Application ZC 09/06/COK/HH being an amendment to
edules 83, 84 and 122 of Appendix 'A', sections 162, 167, 254, 272, 280, 401 and
41 f Appendix 'C', sections 288, 328, 332, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562,
563, 566, 568, 569, 570 of Appendix `D' and sections 14, 16 and 17 of Appendix 'F'
of By-la umber 85-1 as they pertain to the Victoria Street North Mixed Use Corridor
for the pur a of changing the zoning from various zone classifications to Mixed-Use
Corridor MU- nd MU-2 zones with and without site-specific special provisions
applying to these ds, be approved, in the form shown in the 'Proposed By-Law' dated
March 15, 2011 a ed as Appendix 'A' to Community Services Department report
C S D-11-043."
2.
The Committee was in receipt of a pre tation regarding the activities of the Victoria Park
Working Group, dated April 6, 2011. M s. Rych Mills and Bob Sharpe, Victoria Park
Working Group gave the presentation outli their efforts regarding the operation and
development of Victoria Park. It was noted that ce 2007, the Working Group has been a
sounding board for Victoria Park issues where rest is can express ideas and concerns to
senior City staff. The Group's objectives are to work ' h staff to achieve the Park's overall
strategic plan.
Questions were raised as to the negative perception of the ar round Victoria Park verses
reality, and Mr. Sharpe advised that the attitude toward this area changed for the better in
recent years. He attributed this to the ongoing events drawing peop owntovvn, which allow
them to experience the Park in a positive light. In response to uestions regarding
accessibility, Mr. Mills indicated that the majority, if not all, of the official p ways throughout
the Park have been paved. He added that some informal stone dust pathw might still be
used in certain sections of the Park, which can be difficult for some people to verse. He
noted that the Working Group continues to address pathway and park space im ements
with City staff.
The Committee extended thanks to the Victoria Park Working Group for their efforts to
CSD-11-054 -LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND {LEAF)
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 APPLICATIONS
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-11-054, dated April
5, 2011 regarding the 2011 Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) grant applications
recommended by the LEAF Steering Committee. Ms. B. Steiner presented the report.
In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised that the number of applications submitted for
LEAF grants has fluctuated over the program's three-year history. She added that for 2011,
additional efforts were made to solicit applications from specific groups, such as those in the
post-secondary education sector. She further advised that built into the grant agreements is a
requirement that each recipient must provide a final report on project outcomes and in some
instances, they are also required to provide an interim reports.
Questions were raised concerning the issue of loans as a component of the LEAF program
and in particular, the one given for the solar roof at the Consolidated Maintenance Facility
(CMF). Ms. Steiner replied that the issue of offering loans was investigated and it was
determined to not be a viable option for non-City led projects. Mr. D. Chapman advised that
the decision to convey a loan for the CMF solar roof project was made by the previous Council
and not the LEAF Steering Committee. He added that the interest rate for that loan is
approximately 3°/u with payback expected over afive-year period.
Ms. Teresa Cornwell, Dr. Charles Priddle, Dr. James Danckert and Mr. Scott Piatkowski, LEAF
Steering Committee, reviewed the 16 applications received for the 2011 grant program and
highlighted the seven applications recommended for approval, being:
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PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 11.2011 -23 - CITY OF KITCHENfR
3. CSD-11-054 -LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND (LEAF)
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 APPLICATIONS (CONT'D)
Applications Under $50,000.
1. Westmount Public Schoolground Greening project;
2. St. Dominic Savio Catholic Elementary Schoolground Greening project;
3. Conservation and Stewardship of Urban Turtle Populations -City of Kitchener,
Operations Design and Development;
4. Growing the Regional Carbon Initiative in Kitchener -Sustainable Waterloo;
Applications Over $50,000.
5. Community Access Bicycles -The Working Centre;
6. Kitchener Home Energy Improvement Program -Waterloo Region Green Solutions /
Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP); and,
7. iRAIN! An Ecological Approach to Stormwater Management -Waterloo Region
Green Solutions /REEP.
Clarification was requested regarding how funding would be allocated for the "Community
Access Bicycles" project. Mr. Joe Mancini, the Working Centre, addressed the Committee,
advising that they are proposing to launch a bike share project in Kitchener, placing 100
bicycles at 10 public access locations throughout. the City. He stated that initially they would
receive only $20,000. of the requested $100,000., as further investigation, including community
surveys and research into best practices, would be undertaken throughout 2011 to produce a
business case for the project. He added that only after satisfactory completion of the business
case would the balance of funding be released.
Questions were raised regarding the funds that are anticipated to be leveraged through the
"Kitchener Home Energy Improvement Program." Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Waterloo Green
Solutions /REEP, advised that one of the commitments made as part of the recent Federal
budget proposal, was that the ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentives would continue for an additional
year. She noted that this is dependant upon the outcome of the current Federal Election. She
added that local utilities continue to provide REEP with funding and discussions are underway
with various electricity distributors in the area seeking their support for this initiative.
In response to questions concerning the "iRAIN!: An Ecological Approach to Stormwater
Management", Ms. Patterson advised that a pilot version of this initiative was started
approximately two years ago. It was implemented to address the need for public education
regarding the value of stormwater management to protect natural heritage features such as
streams, rivers and wetlands. She stated that funding has been received from the Ontario
Trillium Foundation as well as private sector organizations for this project. She then noted the
importance of having a positive message to motivate behavioural and physical changes at a
time when the first stormwater management bills are being received by homeowners.
Mr. Derek Satnik attended in support of an application submitted by Community Renewable
Energy Waterloo (CREW) for their "Kitchener Solar City Initiative." He advised that they are
requesting a grant of $566,000. to create an incentive program for -faith institutions to
undertake rooftop solar photovoltaic installations, in which solar energy will be directly
converted into electricity and sold back through the power grid. He stated that the premise is
to "bait and hook" faith groups to partner in this project, whereby, CREW will complete the
process under the Ontario Power Authority microFlT Program and provide the first 1 kw/hr
system free to partnering faith groups. Thereafter, CREW will administer mandatory education
and information sessions to each group toward .achieving a full 10 kw/hr installation. He
estimated that 3,000-5,000 people would participate in the education sessions, which should
result in a reducticn of approximately 1070-1120 tonnes of green house gases (GHG} in
Kitchener annually. Mr. Satnik noted that unlike CREW's 2010 LEAF application, the City
would retain the funding, which could be drawn from as needed. He added that one of the
previously identified risks was with faith groups not understanding the economics behind the
installation of a full 10 kw/hr system. He stated that providing the free 1 kw/hr system would
establish a starting point to remove this barrier, allowing for the realization that pursuing this
even further could generate revenue for their group. He commented that this initiative would
inspire change by inviting communities to participate in fundraising and promotion of the
projects and in the one-tonne challenge.
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PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 11.2011 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CSD-11-054 -LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND (LEAF)
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 APPLICATIONS (CONT'D)
Mr. Glen Woolner also addressed the Committee in support of the application submitted by
CREW. He adyised that the educational sessions will enable faith groups to better understand
their obligations to build upon the 1 kw/hr system. He stated that once it is demonstrated that
this system can generate revenue for these faith groups, he is confident that they would be
willing to move ahead with the installation of a larger system. He emphasized that the catalyst
of the free 1 kw/hr is needed to entice faith groups to proceed with this project.
Councillor K. Galloway inquired into the potential to only offer the educational component of
the "Kitchener Solar City Initiative", suggesting that groups interested in pursuing the
installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system could independently approach the City for
funding. Mr. Satnik estimated the cost of providing only the educational component at
approximately $50,000., and cautioned that there may not be the same degree of uptake in
this project if the free 1 kw/hr incentive was not provided. Mr. Woolner expressed concerns
with the suggested approach, adding that the extra steps of requesting the funds from the City
could deter some groups from participating.
Responding to further questions, Mr. Satnik estimated the cost of installing a rooftop solar
photovoltaic system at $8,000. to $13,000. per 1 kw/hr. He noted that any system that is 10
kw/hr and under can qualify for the microFit Program, which is intended for small renewable
energy projects under the umbrella of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program. He stated that he was
surprised that the LEAF Steering Committee did not recommend their application, noting that
most of the past year was spent addressing issues raised during the 2010 LEAF deliberations.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway, the recommendation contained in Report CSD-11-054
was brought forward for consideration, to approve the LEAF grant applications as
recommended by the LEAF Steering Committee.
Councillor Galloway suggested that final consideration of CREW's "Kitchener Solar City
Initiative" application should be deferred to provide time to review this proposal in further detail.
Councillor D. Glenn-Graham spoke in support of the suggested deferral, adding that CREW's
proposal could be implemented at a few institutions as a pilot project; thereby testing the
potential uptake by City-wide faith groups.
On motion, it was agreed to amend Councillor Galloway's motion, to add a second paragraph
to provide that the "Kitchener Solar City Initiative" application submitted by CREW be deferred
to the May 30, 2011 meeting, to provide additional time for review and consideration of
alternative approaches to implementing this project.
Councillor Y. Fernandes expressed concerns with providing grants for the schoolground
greening projects at Westmount Public School and St. Dominic Savio Catholic School. She
commented that, in her opinion, these kinds of initiatives fall under the responsibility of another
level of government. She noted additional concerns with providing LEAF funding for the
"Conservation and Stewardship of Urban Turtle Populations" application and the optics of
awarding grants to projects put forward by City staff. Clarification was requested regarding the
two potential grant amounts listed for the "Conservation and Stewardship of Urban Turtle
Populations" application. Ms. Steiner advised that a final decision is pending on a grant from
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), which if received, would reduce the amount
given to this project through LEAF from $36,911. to $16,911.
Councillor Fernandes requested that the "Conservation and Stewardship of Urban Turtle
Populations" application be voted on separately.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway, the 2011 LEAF grant application for-the "Conservation
and Stewardship of Urban Turtle Populations" as recommended by the LEAF Steering
Committee was voted on and was Carried.
Councillor S. Davey raised concerns with the proposed grant of $181,245. for the "TRAIN!: An
Ecological Approach to Stormwater Management" application, commenting that it is a
considerable sum for a marketing and education campaign. He suggested that it should be
reduced to $75,000., which equates to the funds being contributed from the private sector,
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PLANNING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 11, 2011 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CSD-11-054 -LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND (LEAF)
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 APPLICATIONS (CONT'D)
Ms. Mary Jane Patterson further addressed the Committee, indicating that $28,900. in capital
costs and $23,000. for website and software improvements were also being contributed by the
private sector and not accounted for in the amount mentioned by Councillor Davey. She
advised that if their funding was reduced they would not be able to provide the display or
supporting materials that go along with the educational workshops.
A motion by Councillor Davey to reduce the 2011 LEAF grant amount for "TRAIN!: An
Ecological Approach to Stormwater Management (Waterloo Green Solutions / REEP)" from
$161,245. to $75,000., was voted on and Lost.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway--
itwas resolved:
"That the 2011 Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) grant applications
recommended for funding by the LEAF Steering Committee, be approved as outlined in
Community Services Department report CSD-11-054; and further,
That final disposition of the 2011 LEAF application submitted by Community Renewable
Energy Waterloo (CREW) for their `Kitchener Solar City Initiative', be deferred to the
Mav 30, 2011 Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, to allow
additional time for review and consideration of alternative approaches to implementing
this proposal."
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator
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