Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Minutes

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Hybrid Meeting
Whitby Town Hall
Present:
  • Wenda Abel
  • Ginette Best
  • Janet Dignem
  • Brian Kelly, Vice-Chair
  • Catherine Philogene
  • Alex Van Camp
  • Bryan Widner, Chair
  • Bob Willard
  • Zartasha Zainab
Regrets:
  • Patti Mavins
Also Present:
  • Councillor Cardwell, Mayor's Designate
  • Sarah Shields, 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.
Appointment of Vice-Chair

 

The Committee was advised that the appointment for Vice-Chair of the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee for the January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 term would take place at this time. 

Heather Ellis called for nominations for the position of Chair of the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Wenda Abel nominated Brian Kelly for the position of Vice-Chair of the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee. 

Brian Kelly accepted the nomination.

There were no further nominations and nominations were closed.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byWenda Abel

    That Brian Kelly be appointed Vice-Chair of the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee for a term ending on December 31, 2025.

    Carried

3.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 
  • Moved byBob Willard

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee minutes of January 8, 2025 be approved.

    Carried

5.
Presentations

 

5.1
Kyle Mennie, Director of Operations, Windfall Ecology Centre

 

Re: Pilot of a Building Labelling and Disclosure Program in Whitby

Kyle Mennie provided a presentation regarding the pilot of a Building Labelling and Disclosure Program, Virtual Home Energy Assessment Tool (vHEAT) in Whitby. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • details about Windfall Ecology Centre;
  • details about vHEAT within the Durham Greener Homes Program;
  • enrolling in vHEAT through the Durham Greener Homes website to receive an energy efficiency label;
  • the accuracy of vHEAT to evaluate energy efficiencies in a home;
  • details about the online Durham Region Virtual Home Energy Rating Disclosure Map;
  • benefits of a home energy rating disclosure including uncovering the hidden energy performance of a home and awareness of energy home efficiency programs; and,
  • challenges of a home energy rating disclosure including perceived privacy concerns and associations with inefficient labels.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • the frequency for home energy rating updates on the Virtual Home Energy Rating Disclosure Map;
  • the source of public information for determining an energy label;
  • information about the success of virtual home energy audit tools in other provinces;
  • whether there was an option to opt out of the program after enrolment; and,
  • information about data security and management for the program.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byBrian Kelly

    That the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee recommends that Council direct Town Staff to work with Windfall Ecology Centre to make a presentation to Town Council within two months seeking Town of Whitby approval for the implementation of the Virtual Home Energy Assessment Tool (VHEAT), across all appropriate buildings in Whitby.

    Carried

5.2
Brad Collard, Capital Project Manager, Town of Whitby, Adam McCaughan, Senior Associate, McCallum Sather Architects Inc., and Kiefer MacKenzie, Founding Principal, Village Consulting

 

Re: Operations Centre Expansion Phase 2, Parks Administration and Maintenance Facility

Brad Collard provided a presentation regarding the Operations Centre Expansion Phase 2, Administration and Maintenance Facility. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • goals of the expansion project including increased design flexibility, improved customer service, and collaboration and integration of the Operations – Parks staff in the Operational Services Division with other teams;
  • sustainability features added during Phase 1 of the Operations Centre Expansion in 2019;
  • details about the proposed addition included in Phase 2 of the expansion including exterior concept designs;
  • details about the sustainability components of the project including construction of a net zero building, in floor heating, and heat pumps with electric backup; and;
  • a proposed timeline for the project with completion expected in 2027.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • considerations for geothermal heating;
  • whether a tracking system was considered for the roof; and,
  • assessing future power needs for an expanding fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles.

6.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

7.
General Business and Reports

 

7.1
Little Forests Durham Update

 

Kristin Palilionis provided an update regarding Little Forests Durham which included identifying potential sites for the tree planting initiative.

7.2
2025 Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee Budget Planning

 

Kristin Palilionis advised that the 2025 Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee budget was approximately $1,500. Ms. Palilionis requested feedback from the Committee regarding allocation of the budget.

Discussion ensued regarding determining activities to focus on for 2025 and allocating the budget accordingly.

8.
Council Update

 

Councillor Cardwell provided an update regarding:

  • the Community Strategic Plan - 2024 Annual Progress Report to Council;
  • the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's proposal of a new approach to chronic homelessness that focuses on long-term housing solutions;
  • the Grant Summary 2024 Report to Council; and,
  • the launch of the Town's Service Whitby Division.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • information about electrical service to new development areas;
  • information about the removal of trees at Shirley Scott Park; and,
  • an update about the Rowe Channel.

9.
Other Business

 

There was no other business.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byBob Willard

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee on March 5, 2025.  


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