Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

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Virtual Meeting
Present:
  • Wenda Abel
  • Brian Kelly
  • Patti Mavins
  • Catherine Philogene
  • Bryan Widner, Chair
  • Bob Willard
  • Zartasha Zainab
Regrets:
  • Sara Best, Vice-Chair
  • Andrea Cecchetto
  • Janet Dignem
  • Anahita Jami
Also Present:
  • Sarah Shields, Staff Liaison, Project Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Junaid Khan, Project Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Kristin Palilionis, Staff Liaison, Climate Change Coordinator
  • Laura MacDougall, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 
  • Moved byBrian Kelly

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of October 4, 2023 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Brian Kelly, Member, Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee

 

Re: The Kelly Household's Journey Towards Zero Carbon and Sustainability Finance Forum

Brian Kelly provided a presentation regarding The Kelly Household’s Journey Towards Zero Carbon and Sustainability Finance Forum. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • detailed information about Step 1: New House Retrofit, Step 2: Electric Vehicle, Step 3: Photovoltaic System (PV), Step 4: Heat Pump, and Step 5: Heat Pump Water Heater;
  • details about the costs and saving related to the electric vehicle purchased by The Kelly Household, as well as the expenditures, rebates, and savings for the photovoltaic system and the heat pump;
  • information about the carbon fee-bate; and,
  • lessons learned throughout the process.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • the possibility of receiving monetary reimbursement for the furnace and air conditioner upon their removal;
  • whether the existing air ducts in the house were used for the installation of the new heat pump; and,
  • justification for choosing an air source versus a ground source heat pump.

Brian Kelly provided an overview and the objective of the Sustainability Finance Forum conference that took place in Ottawa.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Introductions of New Members

 

Bryan Widner introduced and welcomed Bob Willard and Zartasha Zainab to the Committee.

6.2
Project Planning and Work Plan Review

 

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • the status of the work plan and annual updates to the work plan; and,
  • the timeline to finalize the work plan.

6.3
2024 Sustainability Events

 

Sarah Shields provided an overview of opportunities for sustainability events in 2024. 

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • a Pollinator Maintenance Event and Invasive Species Poll;
  • announcing the tree selected through the Town’s Official Tree Campaign Survey; and,
  • involving and educating the public about sustainable and/or rain gardens by allowing the public to participate in the planting and maintenance of municipal pollinator and sustainable gardens.

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

There was no Council update.

9.
Other Business

 

9.1
Multi-Residential Composting Pilot Project

 

Wenda Abel stated that the Sail Winds Condo in Port Whitby was being considered to participate in a Multi-Residential Composting Pilot Project.

9.2
Social Media Posts

 

Catherine Philogene advised that the Town recently posted social media content about the amount of salt being used to maintain municipal roads during the winter. Ms. Philogene stated that the post may have been perceived by some as boasting about the use of salt without consideration for significant environmental consequences. She noted that the Town should be more aware about how posts related to sustainability may be perceived.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved byCatherine Philogene

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee on January 3, 2024.


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