HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-246 - Env Recommendation - Reep Annual Request for Financial SupportREPORT TO: Finance & Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:October 21, 2019
SUBMITTED BY: Environmental Advisory Committee
PREPARED BY: Cody Boomer, Executive Assistant, Development Services, 519-741-
2200 ext. 7407
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:October 8, 2018
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-246
SUBJECT:Environmental Advisory Committee Recommendation – Reep Green
SolutionsAnnual Request for Financial Support
__________________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That, subject to the 2020budget deliberations, $31,370be allocated to Reep Green
Solutionsas part of the Utilities2020CapitalBudget.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1998, Reep Green Solutions providesresidents with tools for sustainable resource use,
energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy applications through the facilitation of
environmental programs and services, public education, research and community partnerships. In early
2006, Reep Green Solutions became incorporated as a project of Waterloo Region Green Solutions
(WRGS), a community-based environmentalcharity which helps citizen live sustainably.Itis funded by
a combination of local partners, provincial contracts, municipal grants and client fees.
REPORT:
At the September 19, 2019 Environmental Advisory Committee meeting, the Committee considered a
request from Reep for a grant of $31,370which would represent the City of Kitchener’s contribution to
the group’s core 2020operating budget. Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director, and Mr. Patrick
Gilbride,Manager of Green Infrastructure Programs, reviewed the organization’s achievements in
2018/2019 andgoals for 2020. Ms. Pattersonadvised that the work undertaken by ReepGreen Solutions
aligns well with the City’s Strategic Plan to build a strong and resilient economy, create safe and thriving
neighbourhoods, and helpsestablish a more sustainable environment and infrastructure. Ms. Patterson
provided a summary of Reep’s 2018-2019 finances.
The Environmental Advisory Committee expressed support for the request for the additional funding,
noting that core funders are essential to ensure the continued operation of Reep Green Solutionsand
acknowledged the important work they offer the community.
A copy of Reep’s funding request, which includes a financial summary,has been attached for reference.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision through the
delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The funding allocation for Reep’s 2020 work program is funded through the Utilities budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM - The September 19, 2019 Environmental Advisory Committee agenda, the ReepGreen
Solutions grant funding request isavailable for review on the City’s website.
CONSULT - At the September 19, 2019 EnvironmentalAdvisoryCommittee meeting, the Chair informed
all those in attendance that any recommendation arising from the Committee would be considered at a
standing Committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager,DevelopmentServices
Appendix A - Reep’s funding request
Appendix B – Reep’s Annual Presentation Financial Summary Slide 2018-2019
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ŷğƓƉ Ǥƚǒ ŅƚƩ ƦƩƚǝźķźƓŭ ƭǒĭŷ ŭƩĻğƷ ƌĻğķĻƩƭŷźƦ źƓ ƚǒƩ ĭƚƒƒǒƓźƷǤ ŅƚƩ ĻƓǝźƩƚƓƒĻƓƷğƌ ƭƷĻǞğƩķƭŷźƦͧ
Kitchener resident, donor to Reep Green Solutions.
September 13, 2019
Dear Kitchener Environmental Committee members,
As I write, the federal election has just begun. ne of the most important issues
on the table is climate change. Municipalities are at the forefront of climate action, and need support in
this critical ǤƚǒƩ ƌƚĭğƌ ĻƓǝźƩƚƓƒĻƓƷğƌ ĭŷğƩźƷǤ, comes in.
Reep amplifies thleadership, through programs
and services that give residents the capacity to take action in their own lives. Our RAIN Smart
Neighbourhoods project is an excellent example, helping our community adapt to increased and more
intense precipitation. The city contributed $25,000 per year for 3 years to this project, which Reep
leveraged to bring in approximately $450,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and others, a 6 to 1
return on investment. You can see the results in our Annual Report: close to 100,000 litres of stormwater
storage capacity installed through 62 rain gardens, infiltration galleries and permeable paving projects,
and two neighbourhoods that are now more flood resilient and aware.
Through Depave Paradise, home energy evaluations, water conservation audits, backyard tree planting,
the Project Neutral carbon footprint tool, our Reep House for Sustainable Living, the Zero Waste
Challenge, and the jointly-led ClimateActionWR, Reep Green Solutions helps Kitchener residents reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to our changing climate, and live more sustainably.
We share this report with deep thanks to you, Committee members, as well as to Kitchener Utilities and to
the City of Kitchener, for
do it without you. We ask the City of Kitchener to renew its funding for next year (2020) in the amount of
$31,370, a 1.5% cost of living increase over the $30,907 received last year. Your contribution goes directly
towards our operating costs, and makes all of these results possible.
Our thanks to you for Kitchener. We look forward to
working together in 2020.
Yours truly,
Mary Jane Patterson
Executive Director
Phone: 519-744-6583 Email: info@reepgreen.ca Website: reepgreen.ca
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222 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON N2H 2M8 Charity registration #: 81585 2348 RR0001
Why support Reep Green Solutions?
Reep is one of very few organizations that work with the residential sector on practical ways to prevent and adapt to
climate change. We show homeowners how to take action on home energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and
stormwater management.
Our programs help the City of Kitchener achieve its new 2019-2022 Strategic Plan.
Reep contributes directly to the strategic goal of Environmental Leadership, achieving a healthy and livable
community by proactively mitigating and adapting to climate change and by conserving natural resources
Climate Adaptation
Reep Green Solutions works with Kitchener residents, neighbourhoods and staff to help our community adapt to the
hotter temperatures and more intense storms we are experiencing as a result
The Sheppard Public School Depave Paradise project led by Reep brought students, parents, teachers and
volunteers together in ripping up pavement and replacing it with green space. The result is increased beauty,
functionality and health for students and teachers in a cooler, shaded area of the playground. The rain that
drains to this area soaks into the ground rather than turning into runoff that carries pollution to our living creeks
and the Grand River.
RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods: 3 years, 2 neighbourhoods, 62 projects = increased flood resilience in Mount Hope
and Lakeside.
National Disaster Mitigation Program, Reep Green Solutions is leading a Greening Your Neighbourhood
Workshop in Ward 1. The goal is leveraging the knowledge of residents to identify opportunities to install green
infrastructure.
Our biggest collaboration with the City of Kitchener is about to s 10-
year flood mitigation and prevention initiative funded by the federal government and Kitchener. Reep will bring
the public education and action component to the neighbourhoods receiving infrastructure improvements,
inviting residents to be part of the solution through rainwater measures on their own property and on the public
boulevards.
Climate Change Mitigation
Reep has received Region of Waterloo support to help us all begin our climate journey at home, with an online
tool called Project Neutral (https://app.projectneutral.org/reep) that calculates our carbon footprint, and shows
us how to reduce it. If you have not yet tried it out please do we would love to hear your feedback!
had energy evaluations from Reep in the past 20 years undertook 5,000
home energy retrofits, reducing an estimated 15,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually by following
We continue to advocate for incentives to be available for Kitchener residents.
The Reep House for Sustainable Living, located in the heart of downtown Kitchener, demonstrates energy and
water efficiency in a 110-year-old LEED Platinum certified home. This showcase of home retrofit measures is a
teaching tool and resource for the community, through tours, workshops and events.
In the past 3 years Reep has conducted 575 water conservation audits in Kitchener homes on behalf of the Region
of Waterloo. On the spot we were able to install 350 measures that began saving water immediately, such as
high efficiency showerheads and toilet flapper valves.
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contributes to the Action Statements within the goal of
Environmental Leadership:
a) Develop a Community Climate Action Plan with partner organizations by 2020
Reep Green Solutions co-leads the Community Climate Action Plan (along with Sustainable Waterloo
Region), bringing the partner organizations together around the table;
Last year our ClimateActionWR collaborative led the way for unanimous approval by City Council of the
80% reduction target by 2050, as well as by Cambridge, Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo;
Our ClimateActionWR initiative has now secured 2-year funding to create the long term climate action
plan that will achieve our 80 x 50 target. The process includes public engagement and consultation in
our collective vision for 2050 for our community, as well as technical expertise, and 2 pilot projects.
b) Launch and implement a Corporate Climate Action Plan by 2019 to achieve an absolute greenhouse gas
emission reduction of at least 8% by 2026
The funding that our ClimateActionWR collaborative received includes funds for capacity building for our
municipalities, to help bridge gaps in knowledge so that municipal staff receive support in achieving the
corporate climate action plan.
c) Implement the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy with a focus on establishing a tree canopy target by 2020
and the current 2018 tree planting backlog eliminated by 2022
In a unique partnership with the City of Kitchener, City of Cambridge, and with Toronto-based LEAF,
Reep Green Solutions is bringing a tree stewardship program to our community. The focus is on planting
the right tree in the right place, and educating homeowners to ensure that the trees not only survive,
but thrive.
d) Reduce waste sent to landfills by implementing new waste diversion programs at our facilities and events by
2021
Reep Green Solutions brings our annual Zero Waste Challenge to everyone in the community,
We challenge residents to use a mason
jar to contain the waste they produce in one week. It helps us all become more conscious of the choices
we make and the waste that results, at home and out in the community.
Conclusion
Our Mission at Reep Green Solutions is We are proud to work
with the City of Kitchener to achieve our shared goal of environmental leadership. Our vision of a more resilient, vibrant,
caring and sustainable community is always in front of us. Thank you for supporting this good work!
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Reep Green Solutions Financial ReportStatement of Revenue and Expenses!¯± ͶȝͶͽ ȟMar 31/19
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