RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
DATE: Thursday, October 22, 2015
TIME: 8:30 a.m.
LOCATION: TownePlace Suites Hotel
RPWCO Members Present:
Thomas Schmidt
(Chair)
Cliff Curtis
Paul Mungar
Region of Waterloo
Tony Cecutti (Host)
Greater Sudbury
Durham Region
Haldimand County
City of Windsor
Peel Region
Kerri Marshall
(via teleconference)
John Braam
City of Thunder Bay
Mark Winterton
Andrew Farr
for Dan Labrecque
Brian Titherington
for Daniel Kostopoulos
David Szeptycki
for Erin Mahoney
Fred Jahn
District of Muskoka
City of London
York Region
York Region
Guests:
Nicola Crawhall
Consultant
Chantal Mathieu
Viv Gibbons
Greater Sudbury
David Shelsted
Adriana Jenkins
Region of Waterloo
Joe Rocca
Dave Gordon
AMO
Ryan Purdy
Monika Turner
AMO
Director of Environmental
Services, Greater Sudbury
Director of Roads and
Transportation Services
Traffic & Transportation
Technologist,
Greater Sudbury
Traffic & Transportation
Technologist,
Greater Sudbury
REGRETS:
Eric R. D’Hondt
Gerry Davis
Beth Goodger
Kevin Wylie
Lou DiGironimo
Item
1, 2
Norfolk County
City of Hamilton
City of Toronto
City of Ottawa
City of Toronto
Dixon Weir
Ron Tripp
Jim Harnum
Michael D’Andrea
Stephen Buckley
City of Ottawa
Niagara Region
Halton Region
City of Toronto
City of Toronto
Item
Introduction, Review of Agenda and Housekeeping Items
-
Round-table Introductions.
-
Review of Previous Minutes and Action Items
 Thomas informed the Priority Setting Working Group was not able to meet to further
develop and implement an approach on the four priorities identified. It was suggested to
discuss the priorities as a group, develop 2 or 3 priorities and assign leads to each item.
-
Previous minutes approved, a few corrections made on attendance.
-
Action: Item to be added to next agenda: Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement
(BATNA). What actions/processes have other communities followed during a strike. J. Braam
to share recent strike experience and final outcome.
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
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Project to Address Unacceptable I&I in New Developments
Presentation: Inflow and Infiltration in New Subdivisions: Giving away Capacity we don’t have
Dave Szeptycki, on behalf of Erin Mahoney, York Region presented on a project lead by Barbara
Robinson, Norton Engineering Inc.
Dave informed that Peel and York Regions are funding partners of this initiative and are looking for
other partners to help fund the study looking at inflow and infiltration issues in new subdivisions.
For more information and/or to help fund the project please contact Barbara Robinson,
[email protected] or 519-744-8879. Dave Szeptycki could liaise with B. Robinson on
behalf or RPWCO.
Dave informed that Norton Engineering Inc. is looking for 150,000 in total to help fund this study.
Action: members to consult with their leads and inform if they decide to participate in this project.
It was suggested to refer the monitoring of this project to the Water/Waste Water Subcommittee.
Action: Dave S. to talk to Andrew Farr, W/WW Subcommittee Chair and report to RPWCO at a future
meeting.
4
Waste Diversion- Current Situation and Future Issues, (from Legislative and Municipal Sector
Organization Perspective) by
Monika Turner, Director of Policy, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Dave Gordon, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Waste Management:
Setting the Annual Steward Obligation for Blue Box Program
New Waste Management Legislation
Role of producers to manage their blue box products and packaging
Municipal Resource Recovery Organization:
Currently funded by existing CIF (Continuous Improvement Fund) to support municipal policy and
technical work on new legislation and other issues.
AMO, City of Toronto and RPWCO are working as a group; funding will be exhausted by June 2016.
Action: RPWCO can work with AMO and MWA on governance, structure and funding sources for this
organization, AMO will report back to RPWCO with a proposed framework. The group will meet early
in the new year. Monika will contact Erin Mahoney and Subcommittee Chairs to attend the meeting.
Flushable products –
Action: RPWCO to continue to support AMO through the Solid Waste Subcommittee and support
advocacy on the marketed “flushable” products.
Action: Water/Wastewater Subcommittee will look at the flushables issue as well and report their
position to RPWCO at a future meeting.
Action: AMO and subcommittees will create a presentation or fact sheet with 3 key messages on
flushables to use with our teams and officials.
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
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Prompt Payment- Current Activities and The Municipal Interest
Monika Turner, Director of Policy, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Construction Lien Act Review – CLA
Bill 69 passed 2nd reading and was referred to Committee to be studied.
The government proposed the CLA Review to allow broader consideration of the issues.
It has been assigned to independent counsel to provide recommendations to the government by the
end of 2015. The Chairs have been collecting submissions by interested parties and are preparing to
meet with stakeholders.
A meeting on November 25, 2015 will take place to review the CLA. RPWCO is encouraged to be
actively involved in the reviews and consultations.
Action: B. Titherington and D. Szeptycki, York Region will consult with E. Mahoney and D. Kostopoulos
and confirm who will attend the meeting on November 25.
Action: Monica to circulate information to the individual who will represent RPWCO at the CLA review.
6
Urban Forestry Sub-Committee Update
John Braam introduced Ian Buchannan, Region of York as Chair of the newly formed Urban Forestry
Sub-Committee.
The Terms of Reference of the Subcommittee have been developed and the group met in London over
the summer. Next meeting: November 25, 2015 in York Region/York Regional Forest.
Current membership: John Braam City of London – RPWCO Lead
Ian Buchanan - Regional Municipality of York - Chair
Andrew Macpherson - City of London
Paul Fayrick - City of Thunderbay
Steve Barnahrt - City of Hamilton
Paul Giroux - City of Windsor
Ivan Lister - City of London
Shelley Vescio - City of Thunderbay
John Parsons - City of London
Action: RPWCO members to consider appointing a staff member to the Subcommittee, please contact
Ian B. for further information.
Action: Subcommittee to update at next meeting on list of priorities for RPWCO consideration, i.e,
Legislation and Policy Maters, Green Infrastructure Act, Emergency Management, Benchmarking
initiatives.
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
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City Presentation:
Reengineering the Landscape - Sudbury's Regreening
Franco Mariotti, retired Staff Scientist, Science North
Stephen Monet, Manager of Environmental Planning Initiatives City of Greater Sudbury
Ecological recovery of Greater Sudbury’s industrially damaged landscape has been underway since
1978. Liming, fertilizing, seeding and tree planting remain the basic ingredients to jump start
ecological recovery.
A biodiversity action plan was developed in response to the findings of Sudbury’s Soil Study’s
ecological risk assessment and builds on past regreening efforts.
Fostering community understanding of ecological recovery and seeking ways to engage residents in the
process are key elements to ensuring long term sustainability of the regreening efforts.
8.
Government Relations Update
Nicola Crawhall presented an update including:
Bill 37 –The Ontario Invasive Species Act – expected to be passed. Penalities will be imposed for actions
that spread designated invasive species.
Bill 66 - Great Lakes Protection Act - provides the Minister with the authority to identify Geographically
Focused Initiatives for which plans must be developed and implemented to address a specific issue
with respect to water quality.
BILL 73, Smart Growth for our Communities Act, Amending the Development Charges Act and the
Planning Act – Changes to the DC Act meant to reduce the complexity and unpredictability of the
planning system.
Public Consultation including:
Combined Joint Review of the Growth Plan - RPWCO submitted the joint RPWCO RPCO ORSTT report
and recommendations as comment on Bill 73.
Outside of GTA Infrastructure Consultation – The Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and
Infrastructure undertook public consultations on its approach to allocating $15 billion in funding for
transportation and other priority infrastructure outside of the GTHA.
Action: Members to send in their Outside of GTA Infrastructure Consultation comments, Nicola will
prepare RPWCO paper and send in to MEDEI by end of week (Oct. 30).
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
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Government Relations Update (Cont’d)
Conservation Authorities Act Review - The MNR and Forestry released a discussion paper on a review
of the Conservation Authorities Act. The review is focused on three main areas: 1) governance, 2)
funding mechanisms, and 3) roles and responsibilities.
Action: Nicola to prepare comments focusing on core mandate of Conservation Authorities, ask to
make it clear and appropriate, restore provincial funding, Northern Conservation Authorities are
understaffed.
Metrolinx Review of Big Move – Ongoing / Metrolinx Shortlist of GO Stations (50+).
Action: Nicola to invite Leslie Woo, Metrolinx to next quarterly meeting.
Action: RPWCO Transportation Subcommittee to work on key issues to discuss, eg. anti-whistling (CP,
CN), grade separation, parking, level crossings, installation of gates, rail safety.
9.
Financial Matters
Statement of Accounts – submitted for information
Draft budget – for review and approval
Action: Joint work with Treasurers and Planning invoices to be sent to Municipalities before the end of
the year.
RPWCO dues – after discussion it was decided to increase dues to $3,000.
Nicola agreed to have a more active role for RPWCO by supporting the Subcommittees.
Action: Subcommittees are asked to inform of any items where they may make us of available funding,
i.e. consultants work, staff to organize meetings, tracking action items, technical assistance by Spring
2016.
Action: Nicola to contact Andrew Farr, Brian Tetherington to discuss needs. Eg. tracking issues within
Ontario Government, staying in contact with relevant provincial officials.
Action: Nicola to develop proposal for RPWCO’s consideration.
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
Item
Rock Cut Inventory/Inspections – Presentation by Joe Rocca and Ryan Purdy, City of Greater Sudbury
added Traffic and Transportation department.
RPWCO members asked for some information on the Rockcut inventory and inspection program that
the City initiated this year.
The City currently uses a reactive process. When fallen rock is found during road patrols, the area
foreperson inspects the rock cut to determine if there is any additional loose rock which could pose a
hazard to adjacent vehicles or pedestrians. Through this process scaling was completed on several rock
cuts throughout the city.
10.
RPWCO Strategic Planning / Priority Setting – Update, Thomas Schmidt, Dan Labrecque, Daniel
Kostopoulos and Fred Jahn.
The Working Group was not able to meet before this meeting. Thomas proposed that the group discuss
what are RPWCO priorities and develop specific actions on the four categories developed at the last
meeting:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Organizational capacity building and engagement
Identity and profile
Education and outreach
Priority setting/Issue management
Other potential priorities discussed were:
Budget Consultation – RPWCO can write a position on the Budget Consultations. Nicola suggested
arranging a meeting with appropriate Provincial staff, this would help raise RPWCO’s profile i.e., Karen
Maxwell.
Action: Nicola to arrange a teleconference with working group T. Cecutti, J. Braam, E. Mahoney (Dave
S. to confirm Erin M.) and T. Schmidt to determine key issues to address with the Province from a
budgetary perspective. Comments will then be summarized and circulated to RPWCO members,
inform CAO’s, before taking RPWCO position to the Province.
Climate Change: to be revisited in January.
Regional Transit: i.e., High Speed Rail. Metrolinx to be invited to next meeting.
Action: Thomas to follow up with Jim Harnum on the status of the white paper on Expedited
Environmental Assessment for pedestrian and cycling facilities developed by Lisa De Angelis, Halton
Region.
GGHGP/Combined Joint Review: Action: Thomas to follow up with Rob Horne and Bill Hughes on any
actions pending from the Review that RPWCO should be involved in.
Action: Nicola to find out status of MTO’s planning process and how they integrate highways with
Metrolinx’ Big Move. Possibly invite MTO ADM to a future quarterly meeting.
Action: Nicola to contact Brian Gaston (MTO) to invite him to a future meeting.
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
11.
RPWCO Sub-committees Updates
• Transportation, Brian Titherington, York Region, Subcommittee Chair
Brian reported on the subcommittee’s recent meetings (conference calls and in-person). The group
has developed a number of clear priorities emerging which are common across jurisdictions and
created action items. Two additional in-person meetings are planned for 2016 as well as other efforts
to increase participation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Updates to the Highway Traffic Act Bill 31
Photo radar (or safety cameras – Bill 99)
Speed limits
Annual safety reporting
Key performance measures, and
Railway crossings
Other priorities include design and cost impacts of AODA.
Next Steps or Action Required:
-RPWCO members assistance is requested for ideas to help increase participation in Subcommittee
meetings.
-York to reach out to the new director at the City of Toronto who took over for John Mende who was a
key contributor to the Subcommittee.
• Water and Wastewater, Andrew Farr, Peel Region, Subcommittee Chair
Andrew updated on their last meeting held on September 2015 where they updated the Terms of
Reference to:
1. Establishing collective positions on industry trends and issues in order to influence higher levels
of government where appropriate
2. Venue for promoting the sharing of best practices and issues of mutual interest with an eye to
influencing municipal policy setting and decision making
3. Identifying opportunities to promote the drinking water and wastewater industries
4. Leveraging partnerships with other industry organizations
5. Provide a working group for higher level municipal interests as directed by the main
Commissioners group
The Strategic Themes being used to frame an action items are
1.
2.
3.
Responding to new and influencing existing regulations and inspections
Creating opportunity for innovation and sharing current research
Training and succession planning
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RPWCO Meeting Minutes – City of Greater Sudbury
• Water and Wastewater, Andrew Farr, Peel Region, Subcommittee Chair (Cont’d)
Update on Current Action Items:
Water Operations Data Management (related to theme #1)
OCSI Wastewater Infrastructure Needs Assessment
Ontario One Call (ON1Call)
WaterTap Study on Innovation
MOECC ORO Discussion
Operator Certification Working Group
• Solid Waste, Thomas Schmidt on behalf of Subcommittee Co-Chairs
Thomas updated on behalf of the Subcommittee that Beth Goodger has moved from Toronto to
Brantford.
Action: Thomas to email members to for a new RPWCO lead to the subcommittee,
A slide deck was circulated with updates on:
Annual Steward Blue Box Obligation
New Resource Recovery Legislation
Use of coffee pods in blue box or green bin systems
MPAC Landfill Assessment
Peel Region MOECC orders
Proposed Cap and Trade Program
• List of upcoming meeting dates and hosts.
Next meeting: Region of Durham, January 15, 2015.
Action: Thomas to follow up with some of the Municipalities that haven’t attended the few last
meetings and propose to perhaps send a designate.
Dates for next meetings:
Spring - London – April 8, 2015
Fall - Muskoka – September 29-30, 2015
TBD: Summer meeting date / Peel Region.
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