Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

-
Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Sara Best, Vice-Chair
  • Andrea Cecchetto
  • Janet Dignem
  • Brian Kelly
  • Patti Mavins
  • Catherine Philogene
  • Bryan Widner, Chair
  • Bob Willard
  • Zartasha Zainab
Regrets:
  • Wenda Abel
Also Present:
  • Councillor Leahy, Mayor's Designate
  • Junaid Khan, Staff Liaison, Project Manager, Sustainability and Climate Change
  • Kristin Palilionis, Staff Liaison, Climate Change 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

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byBrian Kelly

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of June 5, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Fin MacDonald, Senior Consultant, Urban Equation

 

Re: Whitby's Green Standard Update

Fin MacDonald provided a presentation regarding Whitby’s Green Standard update. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • details about the Whitby Green Standard v2 Project;
  • a summary of changes to the Whitby Green Standard’s criteria;
  • details about significant changes to energy and carbon requirements;
  • changes to the structure of the Whitby Green Standard; and,
  • next steps, including consultation with industry professionals.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • whether the hybrid heat pumps recommended in the Green Standard were backed up by secondary gas or electric heating systems;
  • Whitby's Green Standard compared to the sustainability standards of other municipalities;
  • feedback received from builders and developers; and,
  • concerns about automatic hookup to natural gas for residential buildings.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
Durham Greener Homes Program

 

Junaid Khan provided an update regarding the Durham Greener Homes Program which included:

  • the number of residents who have applied to the Durham Greener Homes Program; and,
  • eligibility requirements for the Deep Retrofit Rebate.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • spending thresholds to qualify for the rebate; and,
  • information about outreach for the program.

6.2
Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) Program

 

Kristin Palilionis provided an update regarding the Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) Program which included:

  • details about the SNAP Program and pilot program; and,
  • a summary of the best candidates for the pilot program, including the neighbourhoods of West Lynde, Meadowcrest, and Fallingbrook.

Ms. Palilionis advised that the SNAP Program, Neighbourhood Selection Report, would be presented to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 23, 2024.

6.3
Annual Sustainability Report

 

Kristin Palilionis provided an update regarding the Annual Sustainability Report which included:

  • details about key achievements in 2023;
  • conducting a survey to assess the community's knowledge of climate change; and,
  • installing a Level 3 EV fast charging station in the Town, and recommending a user fee of $19 per hour.

6.4
September Sustainability Events

 

Kristin Palilionis provided details regarding September Sustainability Events which included:

  • a Tree Planting event on September 28, 2024 at Fallingbrook Park, hosted by LEAF;
  • a Forest Therapy Walk at Heber Down Conservation Area in collaboration with the Whitby Public Library; and,
  • Town staff events hosted by the Wellness Committee including a Swap day, nature walks, and litter clean ups.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • setting up a Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee booth at the Tree Planting event and Harvest Festival; and,
  • items to distribute to the public at events.

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

Councillor Leahy provided an update regarding:

  • confirmation by the province of a new regional hospital in Whitby;
  • the Feed the Need Campaign; and, 
  • implementing a parking enforcement action program.

9.
Other Business

 

9.1
Food Inflation

 

Zartasha Zainab provided information regarding food inflation which included:

  • the impact of food inflation in Durham Region and the GTA;
  • identifying causes of food inflation;
  • understanding how the local community is coping with food inflation;
  • mapping local food sourcing initiatives; and,
  • policy gaps and recommendations such as protecting green spaces for agriculture and reallocating food surpluses.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • redistributing food surpluses;
  • creating a food desert map for Whitby; and,
  • public education and awareness over food security issues.

9.2
Local Flooding

 

Janet Dignem requested that the Committee give consideration to educating homeowners on ways to prevent damage from flooding.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • social media posts that outline steps homeowners can take to protect their property from flooding; and,
  • Town resources on information about preventing sewer back-ups.

9.3
New Home HVAC Options

 

Brian Kelly stated that he performed a comparative cost analysis of new home HVAC options from a developers/builders perspective. Mr. Kelly stated that his findings indicate that capital costs for installing a hybrid system supported by both natural gas and electricity versus a system supported by electricity alone, were comparative with the latter option being marginally lower.

Discussion ensued regarding:

  • engaging with net zero home builders to further investigate the comparative cost data;
  • including a cost comparison of different trades specialists required to install a variety of home heating and cooling systems; and,
  • how buyer demand influences new home HVAC options.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byCatherine Philogene

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee on October 2, 2024. 


No Item Selected