AGENDA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JUNE 28, PDF Free Download

AGENDA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018 5:30 P.M. CHARLIE WARD ROOM, BRANTFORD CITY HALL 100 WELLINGTON SQUARE BRANTFORD, ONTARIO Emma Vokes Legislative Assistant Please note: Agenda is available on-line at www.brantford.ca Accessible formats and communication supports available upon request. For more information, please contact the City of Brantford Municipal Accessibility Coordinator by telephone at (519) 759-4150 or by e-mail at accessibility@brantford.ca

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 2 Agenda June 28, 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. City Hall, Charlie Ward Room *Dinner in Caucus Room at 5:00 pm* ROLL CALL 1. DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 2. PRESENTATIONS / DELEGATIONS (list, if any, available at meeting) 3.1 Victoria Kramkowski, City of Mississauga, Stormwater Charge Program Coordinator Re: Stormwater User Fees: Lessons Learned From Mississauga 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 4. CONSENT ITEMS 4.1 Minutes THAT the following minutes BE ADOPTED: 4.1.1 Environmental Policy Advisory Committee May 24, 2018 4.2 Sub-committee Updates (if available) 4.2.1 BioBlitz 4.2.2 Clean Brantford 5. RESOLUTIONS 6. NOTICES OF MOTION

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 3 Agenda June 28, 2018 7. NEXT MEETING 8. ADJOURNMENT Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. City Hall Charlie Ward Room

Stormwater User Fees: Lessons Learned from Mississauga Dr. Victoria Kramkowski Stormwater Charge Program Coordinator City of Brantford Environmental Policy & Advisory Committee June 28 th, 2018

Today s Presentation 1. Overview and purpose of Mississauga s stormwater charge 2. Process and approach for Mississauga s charge 3. Opportunities, challenges and lessons learned when developing, implementing and operating a stormwater charge program

1000 storm 6 low impact development features

Flood Management Operation and Maintenance Pressures New Infrastructure Preparing for the Future

Stormwater Charges: A Concept Migrating North Stormwater Charges in Ontario Source: Western Kentucky University 2014 Aurora Kitchener London Markham Mississauga Newmarket Richmond Hill St. Thomas Vaughan Waterloo

Stormwater Charge Structures Flat fee Personalized Individual Assessments Fairness Administration Costs

Introducing Three Major Changes 1. Increasing investment in the City s Stormwater Management Program 2. Implementing a new user charge as a fair and dedicated source of funding 3. Providing financial incentives for best practices

Increasing Investment Formerly (2012 Study) Currently (2016 Budget) Operations and Maintenance $6.6M $12.3M Capital Projects $8.0M $20.7M

New User Charge Before Funded by Property Tax (based on property value) Now Stormwater Charge (based on hard surface amount) 31% 69% 60% 40%

Process and Approach for Mississauga

Milestone Council Decisions Phase 2 Phase 1 September 14, 2011 December 12, 2012 December 11, 2013 May 27, 2015 January 1, 2016 Initiated the Mississauga Stormwater Financing Study Stormwater Charge approved, in principle Stormwater Charge implementation plan approved Stormwater Charge approved for 2016; related corporate policies and by-laws passed Stormwater Charge came into effect

Consultation Process Struck two stakeholder committees: Stormwater Charge: resident association, GTAA, large property owners, UTM, school board, Places of Worship, BILD Stormwater Credit: Large property owners, BILD, GTAA Public information workshops Local newspapers 14

How the Stormwater Charge is Calculated Stormwater Charge Assessment (billing units) Stormwater Rate ($/billing unit) Stormwater Charge ($)

2016 2017 2018 Rate/billing unit $100 $102 $104

Residential Assessments Tier Billing Units Smallest 0.5 Small 0.7 Medium 1.0 Large 1.2 Largest 1.7

Residential Properties T. Billing Portion of R ft A. 2 1er U n1.t s P roper t. 1es oo op rea 1n m Smallest 0.5 10% 26.7-99.0 Small 0.7 40% 99.1-151.0 Medium 1.0 30% 151.1-194.0 Large 1.2 15% 194.1-242.0 Largest 1.7 5% 242.1 and above 18

Non-Residential and Multi-Residential Assessments Impervious (hard) surface area of property individually assessed 1.0 Billing Unit per 267m 2 (2,874 sq. ft.) of hard surface area

Billing Administration Stormwater charges appear on the Peel Region Water Bill The vast majority of properties receive their bill on a quarterly basis Property owners, managers or condo corporations are responsible for distribution of charge among tenants/units on a single property

Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons Learned

Communications need to be both widespread and tailored Ensure consistent messages of fairness, accountability and transparency

Need and opportunity to increase stormwater literacy

Know Your Data Assets Avoid cost and effort of creating and maintaining new datasets, if possible Existing datasets may suit some assessment methods better than others Prepare to clean the initial dataset and maintain it on an ongoing basis Ensure your system can handle the volume and complexity of your data and that your policies match any technical constraints

Consider how different types of properties will be treated Consistency is key but some characteristics must be taken into account Properties without water service How hard surface is defined Properties that cannot be charged Relief for certain properties An appeal process

Incentivizing Low Impact Development Multi-Residential and Non-Residential properties are eligible for credits Up to 50% reduction of charge available for on-site stormwater management Credits effective for 5 years and eligible for renewal, subject to terms and conditions

Image Credit: Grand Valley State Univresity (www.gvsu.edu/stormwater) Not Permeable Permeable Underground Detention Facility Permeable Pavement Green Roof Bioswale

Category Evaluation Criteria Weighting Peak Flow Reduction Water Quality Treatment Runoff Volume Reduction Pollution Prevention Percent reduction of the 100-year postdevelopment flow to pre-development conditions of the site Consistent with Provincial criteria for enhanced treatment Percent capture of first 15 mm of rainfall during a single rainfall event Develop and implement a pollution prevention plan Up to 40% Up to 10% Up to 15% Up to 5% Total No More than 50%

Work with existing organizations and programs to support property owners in implementing credit-worthy best practices

Residential Properties: Incentives versus Outreach Residential credit programs characterized by low uptake and high administrative costs Implement alternative recognition schemes as early as possible Residential Program Working Group Mississauga focused on personalized residential support

Closing Thoughts Stormwater charge can provide dedicated funding for stormwater infrastructure development and adaptation Transparency, fairness, and acknowledgement of best practices is important. Communication is critical User fees can incentivize low impact development through multiple mechanisms 31

Thank You Visit www.stormwatercharge.ca Charge Estimator Reports and Policies Request for Review of Stormwater Charge Assessment More Information Dr. Victoria Kramkowski victoria.kramkowski@mississauga.ca Follow us on Instagram @saugastormwater

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018 at 5:30 P.M. City Hall, Charlie Ward Room ROLL CALL Present: Regrets: Staff: Councillor Antoski, Andrew Tonkin, Mark Steinacher, Ken Burns, David Takacs, Peter Mogk Ron McKenzie, Councillor Simons, Nicole DiFillipo, Sadeki Simpson Julia Sippel, Beth Goodger, Sharon Anderson, Maria Visocchi, Leanne Knuckle, Selvi Kongara 1. DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST None 2. PRESENTATIONS / DELEGATIONS 2.1 Arun Hindupur, Supervisor of Infrastructure Engineering, City of Guelph Re: Stormwater Funding Arun Hindupur from the City of Guelph presented to the Committee regarding funding for Stormwater. A copy of the PowerPoint Presentation was placed in the original meeting file. Highlights of the presentation include: - They did a funding feasibility study in 2013 which required numerous things such as define existing program, identify future program, developing rate structure. - Each individual residential dwelling unit is given a charge of 1 being $4 per month. Every household pays the same amount at the City of Guelph - Service fee funding model has been what has been introduced into the City of Guelph - When the fee was coming, they advertised heavily that this was being launched which helped reduce the shock of a new fee - The $4 fee is relatively affordable - Credits and rebates was another large feature to this For the implementation of the credit program they did not do as much outreach and education but they have received two applications so far. They will be increasing their advertising of the program to increase applicants. The Ministry of Environment is releasing a stormwater management guideline which will be of interest to the City.

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 2 Minutes May 24, 2018 Guelph has a natural system including woodlands and green lands that look like wet lands and are included in the stormwater system however they are low impact and natural stormwater management systems. How did the City value that asset? A. Hindupur explained that to cost and value was attributed to ongoing operation and maintenance rather than replacement. Currently, Guelph has not completed assessment of natural assets but it is part of their future asset plan. If you had to do it all over what would you change? Solicit the larger property owners including hospital and Canadian tire type stores that will benefit from stormwater management. Overall however they found that the methodology and way that it was implemented work for them. What kind of pushback did you get from Council? Not much, the budget was restated at the same time and needs were quantified and justified which helped get this through. Questions of Staff: Councillor Antoski explained that this conversation has been broached with Council previously and was essentially shut down. Councillor Antoski asked if we know the values and fees for the City of Brantford. B. Goodger explained that as of now they do not but they will be implementing the same background research for costs. Currently the capital number is up to 40 million and the numbers are going to get bigger. Staff will provide those numbers to discuss the various approaches. Do we have incentive programs right now for energy and water rebates? We have the rebate program that does not discharge to sewage, if they put it to Storm because it is clean, they do not charge. However this is the only program. P. Mogk stated that the City of Brantford needs to identify vulnerable areas beyond source water protection. S. Kongara stated that the City is monitoring five areas in the City to understand their rainfall curves. From vulnerability for flooding and stormwater issues, we know where gaps are in the infrastructure and until those gaps are filled, those are our vulnerable area. K. Burns stated that Staff will need to make sure that they reflect the best practices and are costing our natural assets and include those in the inventory Do we need to build a wetland area for runoff? Do we need a bigger system or is it more cost effective to use the natural assets. These are the types of questions staff should also consider when doing research. K. Burns further explained that the model that Guelph chose where every household regardless of the type of housing is charged the same fee. This approach however does not drive home the fact that higher density housing is costing the City less and is better

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 3 Minutes May 24, 2018 for the environment. Not using such a fee model will assist in driving home that message. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 3.1 City of Brantford Environmental Branding The members of the Committee looked at the various branding options that had been presented. The members were drawn to the logo and character that Nicole DiFillipo provided. M. Visocchi suggested that N. DiFillipo trademark these logos and give permission for the city to use them. When and how the character versus the logo be used can be discussed and outlined and EPAC can be involved in choosing what the City approves use of these characters for. M. Visocchi suggest that the mascot character be used as the narrator but the bottom of all of the communications includes the clean logo. Moved by Mark Steinacher Seconded by Andy Tonkin THAT the logo and the character created by N. DiFillipo BE APPROVED as the sustainability branding for the City of Brantford. CARRIED N. Difillipo will be asked to harmonize the green colours between the character and the logo. When the release of this character and logo occurs, M. Visocchi suggests a media release accompany this. 3.2 Motion to Reconsider Climate Change Staff Grants Resolution Moved by David Takacs Seconded by Peter Mogk THAT the following Resolution BE RECONSIDERED: WHEREAS EPAC role is to provide recommendations and advice to Council on environmental issues; and

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 4 Minutes May 24, 2018 Amendment Moved by David Takacs Seconded by Peter Mogk WHEREAS EPAC will be reporting at Council s request, on fulfilling Brantford s Declaration of the Right to live in a healthy environment for consideration in 2018 strategic planning; and WHEREAS the Report will provide a strong foundation for the City of Brantford to develop an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan to fulfill the declaration; and WHEREAS Brantford has established Environmental Leadership as a strategic priority; and WHEREAS Brantford recognizes that municipalities are on the front line of climate change impacts; and WHEREAS the lack of dedicated staff resources is one of the biggest barriers for communities looking to take action on climate change; and WHEREAS a dedicated sustainability staff position would significantly improve the City of Brantford s climate change resiliency and sustainability through the development and implementation of municipal operational and institutional changes that would open doors to additional funding opportunities, generate operational savings, and reduce the City s vulnerability to climate change impacts; and WHEREAS many communities of the same and smaller populations as Brantford have created sustainability specific positions and departments; and WHEREAS FCM has recently announced a new funding program to help municipalities address staffing gaps and produce lasting improvements in their operations related to climate change by providing up to $125,000 over two years to supplement the salary of a new or existing municipal employee who will work on initiatives to improve adaptation to local climate change impacts or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council BE REQUESTED to establish a director level Climate Change Officer position within the Chief Administration Officer s office supported by funding from the FCM Climate Change Staff grant. CARRIED WHEREAS EPAC role is to provide recommendations and advice to Council on environmental issues; and

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 5 Minutes May 24, 2018 WHEREAS EPAC will be reporting at Council s request, on fulfilling Brantford s Declaration of the Right to live in a healthy environment for consideration in 2018 strategic planning; and WHEREAS the Report will provide a strong foundation for the City of Brantford to develop an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan to fulfill the declaration; and WHEREAS Brantford has established Environmental Leadership as a strategic priority; and WHEREAS Brantford recognizes that municipalities are on the front line of climate change impacts; and WHEREAS the lack of dedicated staff resources is one of the biggest barriers for communities looking to take action on climate change; and WHEREAS a dedicated sustainability staff position would significantly improve the City of Brantford s climate change resiliency and sustainability through the development and implementation of municipal operational and institutional changes that would open doors to additional funding opportunities, generate operational savings, and reduce the City s vulnerability to climate change impacts; and WHEREAS many communities of the same and smaller populations as Brantford have created sustainability specific positions and departments; and WHEREAS FCM has recently announced a new funding program to help municipalities address staffing gaps and produce lasting improvements in their operations related to climate change by providing up to $125,000 over two years to supplement the salary of a new or existing municipal employee who will work on initiatives to improve adaptation to local climate change impacts or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT; A. City Council authorize City Staff to submit an application for funding under the FCM Climate Change Staff Grant program; and B. THAT City Council establish a Climate Change Officer position within the Chief Administrative Officer s office supported by funding from the FCM Climate Change Staff grant program; and

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 6 Minutes May 24, 2018 C. THAT any additional labour and benefit costs outside of the FCM funding program, not to exceed $60,000 over the 2-year period, be funded from City Council s Priority Reserve Fund (RF0558). CARRIED The item will be considered at the June 5, 2018 Human Resources Committee meeting. Staff will distribute important dates and times to the Committee. 3.3 City of Brantford Masterplan P. Mogk. Councillor Antoski and K. Burns attended the information session. The consultant and Staff message appeared to be that meeting density objectives is too hard and the City of Brantford will be petitioning to be allowed not to meet those objectives. This item will be presented by Staff at the June 5, 2018 Committee of the Whole Community Development meeting. The Committee agreed that K. Burns register as a delegate for EPAC to express the concern about the lack of effort the City of Brantford is putting in to meet density targets. P. Mogk expressed frustration with the lack of concern that the City showed in reaching these targets and presented a slideshow pertaining to the importance of the need to meet these targets and how to treat vacant land. A copy of the presentation will be distributed to members. 3.4 Snackable Learning M. Steinacher Snackable learning was deferred to a future meeting. 4. CONSENT ITEMS 4.1 Minutes Moved by Peter Mogk Seconded by Councillor Antoski THAT the following minutes BE ADOPTED: 4.1.1 Environmental Policy Advisory Committee April 26, 2018 CARRIED 4.2 Sub-committee Updates (if available) 4.2.1 BioBlitz No updates.

Environmental Policy Advisory Committee Page 7 Minutes May 24, 2018 4.2.2 Clean Brantford No updates. 5. RESOLUTIONS 6. NOTICES OF MOTION 7. NEXT MEETING 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. City Hall Charlie Ward Room