Environment and Climate Change Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

2

Date:

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.

Location:

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair: Councillor Shawn Menard, 
• Vice-chair: Councillor Marty Carr, 
• Councillor Riley Brockington, 
• Councillor David Brown, 
• Councillor Cathy Curry, 
• Councillor Sean Devine, 
• Councillor David Hill, 
• Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, 
• Councillor Rawlson King, 
• Councillor Matt Luloff, 
• and Councillor Tim Tierney 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on April 12, 2023 in Environment and Climate Change Committee Report 2.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on March 20, 2023, and the deadline to register to speak by email is 8:30 am on March 21, 2023.

This draft Minutes document contains a summary of the disposition of items and actions taken at the meeting. This document does not include all of the text that will be included in the final Minutes, such as the record of written and oral submissions. Recorded votes and dissents contained in this draft Minutes document are draft until the Minutes of the meeting are confirmed by the Committee. The final draft Minutes will be published with the agenda for the next regular Committee meeting and, once confirmed, will replace this document.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

ECCC Minutes 1 - Tuesday, 21 February 2023

• Carried

4.

Communications and Correspondence

4.1

By-law Exemption for Tree Cutting near Tewin Area

Directions to Staff

Chair S. Menard

Direct staff to investigate and report back on potential changes to Exemption 82 (7) of the City’s Tree Protection By-law to require landowners obtain a formal exemption with evidence provided and communicate with neighbours, the local city councillor and City staff prior to tree removals including where a permit is not required by By-law (e.g. where the activity is exempt from the provisions of By-law).

Councillor T. Kavanagh

That the tree cutting incident near Tewin lands be referred to the Normal Farming Practices Protection Board. 

• Motion No. ECCC 2023-02-01
  Moved by M. Carr

  That, pursuant to Subsection 89(3) of the Procedure By-law (being By-law NO 2022-410), the Environment and Climate Change Committee approve that the Rules of Procedure be suspended to allow for the consideration of the item listed as:

  COMMUNICATIONS – MEMO - TREE CLEARING NEAR TEWIN AREA (MEMO TO COUNCIL DATED 28 FEBRUARY 2023)

  Carried

5.

Office of the City Clerk

5.1

End-of-Term Report 2019-2022 - Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee (ESAC)

File No. ACS2023-OCC-CCS-0033 - City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Environment and Climate Change Committee receive this report for information.

  Received

5.2

Status Update – Environment and Climate Change Committee Inquiries and Motions for the period ending March 10, 2023

File No. ACS2023-OCC-CCS-0034 - City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Environment and Climate Change Committee receive this report for information.

  Received

6.

Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

6.1

Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) Pilot Project – 665 Albert Street

File No. ACS2023-PRE-EDP-0011 – Somerset (14)

• Report recommendations

  That the Environment and Climate Change Committee recommend Council:

  1. Authorize the General Manager of Infrastructure and Water Services, or their designate, to review and consider the approval of a connection to the City’s wastewater infrastructure to supply wastewater to a proposed Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) system for the Dream LeBreton development, subject to receipt of a detailed design, a third-party review and to the satisfaction of General Manager;
  2. Approve the proposed WET System Design Review Fee and an annual Energy Transfer Fee for the WET system connection to the City’s wastewater infrastructure based on a required flow rate ($/L/sec) being considered to support anticipated energy demands for the Dream LeBreton development;
  3. Delegate the authority to the General Manager of Infrastructure and Water Services, or designate, to negotiate, enter into, execute and amend a Wastewater Energy Transfer Agreement with Theia Partners Inc. / Envari Holding Inc. Partnership and any other agreements necessary to give effect thereto upon such terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager of Infrastructure and Water Services, guided by the proposed Draft Term Sheet attached as Document 3, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor;
  4. Direct staff to report back to Council by Q4 2024 on a review of existing procedures to enable district energy infrastructure to locate within the municipal road allowance / rights-of-way, including addressing instances where such infrastructure may cross property lines; and  
  5. Direct staff to report back on the results of the WET System pilot project, no later than 18 months following implementation of the WET System.
  Carried

7.

Public Works Department

7.1

Financial Statements for In-House Solid Waste Collection – External Audit Results

File No. ACS2023-PWD-SWS-0001 – City-wide

• Report recommendation

  That the Environment and Climate Change Committee recommend Council receive this report for information.

  Received

8.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

9.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

9.1

Councillor R. King - Electric Vehicle Parking Meter Stations

File No. ACS2023-OCC-CCS-0032 - City-wide

• Motion No. ECCC 2023-02-02
  Moved by R. King

  WHEREAS On April 24, 2019, City Council declared a Climate Emergency for the purposes of naming, framing, and deepening our commitment to protecting our economy, our eco systems, and our community from climate change; and

  WHEREAS this declaration provides additional direction to staff for expanded work on the Climate Change Master Plan, Energy Evolution, and the future Climate Resiliency Plan; and

  WHEREAS Energy Evolution identifies transitioning from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles as one of the most important actions required to meet Ottawa’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and identified a Personal Electric Vehicle Strategy as one of 20 priority projects; and 

  WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has 53 public chargers on City property and in the Right of Way; and

  WHEREAS public chargers on City property are a pay for use service with fees, as outlined in the Corporate EV Policy, and the City is obligated to provide accessible services to people with disabilities, including Accessible Parking Permit holders; and

  Whereas Section III of the Highway Traffic Act, 1990 allows for the provision of Accessible Parking Permits in Ontario, and Part C of the City’s Traffic and Parking Bylaw includes provisions and exemptions for Accessible Parking Permit holders; and

  WHEREAS future spending allocations from the Parking Reserve Fund have been identified in the Parking Services Capital Program Plan to expand the network of EV charging stations on-street and at City of Ottawa owned paid parking lots; and

  WHEREAS charging stations are part of the City’s efforts to support the uptake of electric vehicles in Ottawa, as public charging infrastructure is a major contributor to adoption of electric vehicles amongst Ottawa residents; and

  WHEREAS EV charging stations have been installed leveraging partnerships and funding supports from other levels of government including for example, the right of way chargers which were installed with support from the federal government under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, and Envari, an affiliate of Hydro Ottawa; and

  WHEREAS privately-owned companies as well as organizations such as Carleton University and the Science and Technology Museum currently offer charging stations in their paid parking lots and garages; and

  WHEREAS the public stations may help attract visitors to travel and spend extra time in Ottawa that otherwise may not have visited the downtown due to its limited EV charging capabilities; 

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to report back to Environment and Climate Change Committee with recommended updates to the Corporate EV Policy that describe how charging stations are installed and operate on City of Ottawa property, including considerations for:

  1. Best practices including reviewing benchmark pricing and competitive bidding practices from other jurisdictions including municipalities, private businesses, and commercial properties
  2. Implications of providing free charging in pay-to-use parking facilities
  3. Prioritization of sites according to safety, accessibility, cost for installation, and electrical capacity
  4. Reporting metrics for asset management including current condition, replacement cost, estimated lifespan, and repair history
  5. Resource requirements for upgrading existing facilities, maintenance, training, technical support, and upkeep of charging stations
  6. Safety design standards for on-street and off-street installations, including considerations for indoor and outdoor charging stations and appropriate fire suppression
  7. Corporate governance and decision making for charging station projects including procurement, ownership, operation, maintenance, replacement, renewal, revenue and expenses

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff provide a report on the role for the City of Ottawa in supporting the adoption of Electric Vehicles through a Personal EV Strategy, including considerations for:

  1. Geographic coverage of public charging equipment across neighbourhoods and identification of gaps
  2. Municipal policy tools to advance home charging for multiple built forms including condominiums, rentals, and multi-unit dwellings
  3. EV charging in long term City plans such as the Zoning By-law, Transportation Master Plan, Asset Management Plans, and Long-Range Financial Plans
  4. Resource requirements and/or partners to implement the Personal EV Strategy
  5. Education and outreach activities to accelerate EV adoption in the community
  6. Compatibility of EV charging with City of Ottawa Complete Streets Framework 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that

  1. The placement and locations of off-street EV charging stations do not interfere or diminish the rights of Accessible Parking Permit holders to regulated amounts of accessible parking spaces, and
  2. The placement and locations of on-street EV charging stations do not interfere with no parking zones, which are designated accessible parking spaces for Accessible Parking Permit holders, as described in Part C of the City’s Traffic and Parking Bylaw and
  3. Staff will develop the Corporate EV Policy and Personal EV Strategy with requirements to ensure access for Accessible Parking Permit holders, including visitors and residents with disabilities 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff engage with key stakeholders including Hydro Ottawa,  the Accessibility Office, and the Accessibility Advisory Committee throughout the policy update and strategy development process to ensure alignment of strategic priorities and identification of risks and opportunities.

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff provide an opportunity for public feedback on the Personal EV Strategy and consider community priorities.

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back in Q4 2023 on recommendations related to both the Corporate EV Policy and the Personal EV Strategy. 

  Carried

10.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

10.1

Vice-chair M. Carr - City of Ottawa becoming signatory to the Montreal Pledge on Biodiversity

• WHEREAS Levels of nature loss and species extinction globally are occurring at rates unprecedented in known human history; and 

  WHEREAS There is an urgent need for a municipal role in halting and reversing the alarming loss of biodiversity; and 

  WHEREAS the City of Ottawa through its Urban Forest Management Plan and Official Plan specifically recognizes the crucial role that cities and local governments play in the pursuit of a sustainable future through mainstreaming biodiversity and nature-based solutions into planning at the local level; and 

  WHEREAS City Councillors Carr and Councillor Plante were declared delegates by City Council from the City of Ottawa and attended the 7th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological diversity in Montréal; and 

  WHEREAS staff advise that many of the City’s existing and planned policies and programs already support many of the actions in the biodiversity pledge, so becoming a signatory is consistent with the City’s strategic directions; and

  WHEREAS the Montréal pledge on biodiversity is a commitment for cities to take 15 tangible actions towards pursuing their efforts to preserve ecosystems: and 

  WHEAREAS 47 cities internationally have signed the Montreal pledge including Toronto, Montréal, Gatineau, Québec, Boston, Toyko, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and Melbourne 

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City move forward with signing the Montréal Pledge on biodiversity; and 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff continue their efforts to implement policies and programs supporting the 15 commitments in the Montréal Pledge on biodiversity and report back as further resources be deemed necessary. 

11.

Inquiries

11.1

Councillor D. Hill - Climate Change Master Plan and 2023 Budget

At the February 21st meeting of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, staff provided the Committee with high level information on how the $5 million in funding to implement the City’s Climate Change Master Plan would be spent. Namely, that the money would be used to support studies into community heating, district energy, and renewable natural gas studies and for three pilot projects on varied building retrofits. 

Following that discussion, please consider the following supplemental questions:

1. In addition to the three building retrofits projects (municipal, residential, and commercial) are there any other pilot programs that the $5 million allocated in the 2023 budget will be spent on?
2. What are the specific budgets for each individual study or project captured by the $5 million? For example, how much money has been set aside for the municipal residential pilot project?
3. What Key Performance Indicators will be used to measure the success or failure of each building retrofit program, or any other pilot program captured by the CCMP spending? How will those KPIs be measured? 
4. When will those KPIs, and associated data be provided to committee? 
5. When can council expect to receive the studies funded by the 2023 CCMP spending?

12.

Other Business

There was no other business.

13.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

April 18, 2023.

The meeting adjourned at 2:07 pm.