Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council/et au Conseil
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/
Directrice municipale adjointe,
Planning, Transit and the Environment /Urbanisme, Transport en commun et
Environnement
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : Carol Christensen, Manager/Gestionnaire,
Environmental Sustainability/Durabilité de l’environnement, Planning,
Environment and Infrastructure Policy/Politiques d’urbanisme, d’environnement
et d’infrastructure
(613) 580-2424 x21610,
carol.christensen@ottawa.ca
|
SUBJECT: |
|
|
|
|
|
OBJET : |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve extension of the partnership as outlined in Document 1 between the City of Ottawa and EnviroCentre for the delivery of community-based environmental services for the period 2007-2010.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement
recommande au Conseil d’approuver le prolongement du partenariat entre la Ville
d’Ottawa et EnviroCentre, tel qu’il est énoncé dans le document 1, en vue de la
prestation de services environnementaux fondés sur la communauté pour la
période allant de 2007 à 2010.
BACKGROUND
EnviroCentre's partnership with the City began at the former City of Ottawa with EnviroCentre assisting to implement the City's Climate Change Action Plan. In co-operation with various community leaders and organizations, the former City helped establish this community-based, non-profit organization in 1999. At that time, the City of Ottawa Council approved a two-year program to support EnviroCentre through fee-for-service contracts and the provision of office space and other in-kind support.
Based on EnviroCentre's success in meeting established goals and contributing to reductions in greenhouse gases and other environmental objectives (primarily through residential energy efficiency programs), the City of Ottawa renewed this partnership in 2004 with in-kind support and provision of office space and a storefront area within the Government Service Centre at City Hall. The agreement also indicated that the City would contract with EnviroCentre to assist in program delivery of energy efficiency and other environmental service programs on a fee-for-service basis, according to community needs, available City budgets and availability of relevant expertise. As with other City budgets, the service provision was linked to measurable results.
EnviroCentre is best known for its work on residential energy efficiency. EnviroCentre delivered the federal Energuide for Houses program showing its retail clients how to save energy and money while making their homes more comfortable and healthier to live in. EnviroCentre completed over 7,000 EnerGuide for Houses evaluations, including over 1,500 follow-up evaluations which measured the actual results.
The federal government has now replaced EnerGuide for Houses with the ecoENERGY Retrofit program, which EnviroCentre is also delivering. Thanks in part to its partnership with the City, EnviroCentre is also delivering a pilot program for the Ontario Power Authority, which is enabling it to invest up to $2,500 per home to improve the energy efficiency of 200 low-income households with electric heat.
As per its 2004 mandate from Council, EnviroCentre continues to work with the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee, Hydro Ottawa, Dossier Hydro and the City's Employment and Financial Assistance Branch. It has already helped over 500 recipients of Ontario Works reduce their electricity bills and avoid power cut-offs at no direct cost to the City.
EnviroCentre also works closely with Hydro Ottawa, helping hundreds of other low-income households reduce their power bills in 2006, piloting the use of Electric Thermal Storage heaters in ten social housing units to prepare for Time of Use rates, and helping small businesses and places of worship design and implement energy efficiency programs. EnviroCentre continues to work with Enbridge Gas Distribution to help Ottawa residents conserve energy and water by installing low-flow showerheads and other devices, servicing over 2,000 homes in 2006. It also made arrangements to provide Ottawa Community Housing with over 400 programmable thermostats from Enbridge, while ensuring that the mercury from the old thermostats is recuperated and recycled.
EnviroCentre continues to apply community based social marketing techniques to encourage more environmentally sustainable transportation habits in Ottawa to reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants by more than 300 tonnes by helping commuters bike, bus, walk or carpool instead of drive alone. Programs have included co-ordination of the annual Commuter Challenge, working on follow-up activities to expand its impact as much as possible beyond the one-week campaign, as well as promotion and co-ordination of the Active and Safe Routes to School Program.
DISCUSSION
EnviroCentre
continues to perform an important role in helping the City reach its objectives
related to reduction of greenhouse gases and other environmental goals. It
has also been a very cost-effective option for the City because over the last
three years, EnviroCentre has leveraged an average of $12 from other sources
for every dollar invested by the City. Its presence in the Government Services
Centre at City Hall also helps to engage the community on energy efficiency and
healthy homes. Its residential energy efficiency programs also represent, along
with those of Hydro Ottawa, the primary mechanisms for achieving City
objectives in this area.
It is important for the City to
renew this commitment and provide what support and certainty it can offer
within the context of its programs and budget challenges. Extension of the in-kind services is one
measure, as are active discussions on what other services EnviroCentre is best
positioned to provide the City.
Extension of this agreement will also direct City staff to continue to
identify and discuss further partnership opportunities with EnviroCentre in
2007 and beyond.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Renewal of the partnership agreement would have significant positive environmental implications. The work of EnviroCentre has already resulted in measurable reductions in greenhouse gases (>250 tonnes per year) with potential for significant increases through the residential and transportation programs.
CONSULTATION
There have been consultations internally and with Hydro Ottawa on the extension of the partnership agreement. Objectives related to reductions in GHG emissions and other environmental objectives being pursued through the partnership were subject to public consultations during Ottawa 20/20 and approval of the Environmental Strategy (2003) and Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan (2004).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The City of Ottawa will continue to provide office space, equipment and related services to EnviroCentre, estimated to have a total in-kind value of $60,000 per year. Specific environmental programs and services negotiated as opportunities develop will be subject to reporting and approval processes as required by City procedures. Aside from the in-kind contribution, there are no other financial implications associated with this report.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 - Terms of Reference for EnviroCentre Services
DISPOSITION
The Environmental Sustainability Division within the Planning, Transit and the Environment Department will be responsible for maintaining formal liaison with EnviroCentre on behalf of the City of Ottawa through consultation with other City of Ottawa environmental programs. A partnership agreement based on the attached terms of reference will be executed between EnviroCentre and the Deputy City Manager, Planning, Transit and the Environment. Real Property and Assest Management Branch of Corporate Services Department will continue to co‑ordinate space provisions at City Hall.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENVIROCENTRE SERVICES Document 1
Purpose
In October 2003, City Council approved the Ottawa 20/20 Environmental Strategy. One of the commitments in the Environmental Strategy is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions within the community, and this commitment was outlined in more detail in the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan (Council approved in 2004). This Plan established a goal of 20% reduction in community GHG emissions (1990 levels) by 2012 and outlined a number of strategic actions in the area of energy efficiency and sustainable transportation that would be necessary to meet this goal. In addition, the Environmental Strategy commits the City to work towards sound environmental management by managing its resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Providing information and advisory services to the public through other organizations and agencies with similar or complementary mandates is one way in which the City can maximize its resources and meet environmental objectives. Over the past eight years, the City of Ottawa has built a successful partnership with EnviroCentre as well as observed EnviroCentre to be very cost-effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the residential section of the City's building sector. This document represents a formalization of the services to be retained from EnviroCentre by the City as well as the in-kind service support to be provided by the City to EnviroCentre.
Term of Service Provision
The term of service provision by EnviroCentre to the City of Ottawa is a four-year term that extends from 2007 through 2010.
Qualifications and Skills
In providing energy efficiency advisory services, EnviroCentre staff has demonstrated the skills noted below. EnviroCentre will be expected to maintain these qualifications and skills over the next four years:
· Proven expertise in the field of energy efficiency and energy conservation, particularly in relation to residential buildings, but also developing, over time, knowledge of energy efficiency and green building techniques applicable to small commercial and institutional buildings.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills to provide required environmental and energy efficiency information to clients and to be able to influence them in making sound environmental choices;
· Comprehensive understanding of environmental management practices and principles and of City environmental programs and contacts
· Effective community relations and interpersonal skills
· Knowledge of social marketing and public education processes, particularly in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable transportation choices
· Ability to evaluate and report on program effectiveness.
Service Deliverables
EnviroCentre will:
· Provide energy efficiency advisory services to City of Ottawa clients that will result in measurable reductions in greenhouse gas. The GHG reductions achieved will be determined through both surveys and on-site verification by EnviroCentre staff.
· Provide a walk-in energy efficiency service to the public during City office hours through its storefront at City Hall. Respond to technical questions from the public that originates from either walk-in traffic to the EnviroCentre storefront or through referrals from the City's Call Centre or other program staff. Initially, the information service will largely focus on energy efficiency but may expand to broader environmental issues if contracted by the City. The nature and frequency of inquiries is to be reported to the Manager, Environmental Sustainability, on a quarterly basis.
· Organize and take part in community events, home and industry shows, demonstration sites and other events as appropriate to promote energy efficiency and other EnviroCentre programs
· Liaise on a regular basis with the Manager, Environmental Sustainability, or delegate, in the provision of its storefront services on behalf of the City.
· Prepare an annual report on its activities focusing on, but not limited to, work performed, number and nature of evaluations conducted, greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved, workshops and other related activities, trends in energy management observed or gained, recommendations for future activities in energy conservation and efficiency practices and education in Ottawa.
City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa will provide the following in-kind services to EnviroCentre:
· At least 600 square feet on the first floor of 110 Laurier Avenue for both office space and a storefront display area for walk-in traffic, including at least six workspaces.
· The office space support includes standard furniture, computer and telephone services for each workspace;
· Display space and a counter for reception of the public in the storefront;
· The City will work with EnviroCentre to co-ordinate environmental messaging related to programs it delivers and the handling of public enquires regarding other City programs.
· The City will also contract with EnviroCentre to assist in program delivery of energy efficiency and other environmental service programs on a fee-for-service basis, according to community needs, available City budgets and availability of relevant expertise within EnviroCentre. As with other City contracts, the service provision will be linked to clear deliverables and measurable results and subject to City procurement policies and guidelines, including the ability to be sole sourced as per the policy.
Authority
The
provision of EnviroCentre services to the City of Ottawa will be under the
direction of the Manager, Environmental Sustainability Division, or delegate.