02 - November 3, 2020 Environmental Advisory Committee Agenda Package
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Table of Contents
I.Agenda……………………………………………………………………………...2
II.Environmental Advisory Committee Orientation Session Minutes……………3
III.Presentation –Developing an Action Plan………………………………………5
IV.Correspondence –Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign Letter………………...15
V.Correspondence –Ontario Blue Box Program News Release………………..21
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORYCOMMITTEE
AGENDA
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Meeting to be held electronically.
Agenda
1.Approval of Agenda
2.Adoption of October 7, 2020 Minutes
3.Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
4.Election of Chair
5.Election of Vice Chair
6.Developing an Action Plan Facilitated Discussion
7.Correspondence Lawn Sign Road Safety CampaignLetter
8.Correspondence Ontario Blue Box Program News Release
9.Date of Next Meeting
10.Adjournment
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ORIENTATION SESSION
Meeting:Environmental Advisory Committee Orientation Session
Date: October 7, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location:Webex
Attendees: Dave Mennill, Warden
Grant Jones,Councillor
Sally Martyn, Councillor
Robert Braam, Community Member
Sarah Emons, Community Member
Primrose Kisuule, Community Member
Michaela Lenz, Community Member
RayPrice, Community Member
Kim Smale, Community Member
Staff:Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer
Brian Lima, Director of Engineering Services
Katherine Thompson, Supervisor of Legislative Services and
Community Relations
Carolyn Krahn, Legislative Services Coordinator
Megan Shannon, Legislative Services Coordinator
DRAFT MINUTES
1.Call to Order
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The Environmental Advisory Committee Orientation Session met this 7day of
October, 2020. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2.Introductions
The newly appointed members of the Committeeintroduced themselves to
County Council members and staff supports.
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3.Review of Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct
The Supervisor ofLegislative Services and Community Relationspresented an
overview of the Committee’s Terms of Reference and Mandate and the Elgin
County Code of Conduct.
4.Overview of Current Elgin County Environmental Initiatives
The Supervisor of Legislative Services and Community Relations presentedan
overview of the current Elgin County Environmental Initiativesfollowed by a
presentation from the Director of Engineering Services on energy conservation,
roads, and cycling infrastructure in the County.
5.Who Does What? – An Overview of Government Jurisdictions
The Supervisor of Legislative Services and Community Relations presentedan
overview of Government Jurisdictions.
6.Date of Next Meeting
The Warden suggested the next meeting be facilitated by Jennifer Kirkham to
help the Committee develop their plan of action. The Committee agreed to meet
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again on Wednesday,November 4at 10:00 a.m. provided that Jennifer Kirkham
was available to meet.
7.Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
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Environmental Committee Members
County of Elgin
October 28, 2020
Re: Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign – Environmental Impact of Coroplast Signs
Dear Environmental Committee Members,
At its meeting held on October 27, 2020, Elgin County Council consideredimplementing a lawn
sign road safety campaignin response to continuing concerns about speeding on County roads.
The lawn signs would be used on local roads within built-up settlementareas in order to raise
awareness to the issue of speeding and to remind drivers of the importance of driving safely and
obeying the speed limit.The lawn signs would be constructed with coroplastand could be
reused for successive road safety campaigns.Council expressed concerns about creating
disposable itemsthat will eventually end up in a landfill.After considerable discussion, Council
passed the following resolution:
RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign” from the
Director of Engineering Services, dated October 16, 2020, be received and filed;
and,
THAT the matter be referred to the Environmental Committee to review the
environmental impact of a lawn sign road safety campaign.
Of particular concern for Council, was that the negative environmental impactof creating
disposable itemswould outweigh the positive effects of the road safety campaign. Council are
requesting further information from the Environmental Committeeregarding the use ofcoroplast
signs, specifically inrelation to their environmental impact.
A copy of the report titled “Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign” is attached for reference.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dave Mennill, Warden
cc: Julie Gonyou, CAO/Clerk, County of Elgin
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REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL
FROM:Brian Lima, Director of Engineering
Services
DATE:October 16,2020
SUBJECT: Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report titled “Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign” from the Director of
Engineering Services, dated October 16, 2020, be received and filed.
INTRODUCTION:
A Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign provides another tool for municipalities to confront
the issue ofspeeding predominantly and most effectively onlocalroads within built-up
settlement areas. The intent is to raise awareness to the issue of speedingand to
remind drivers of the importance to drive safely and obey the speed limit. Staff have
investigated lawn sign programs in other municipalities andif directedby Council, a pilot
Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign, in partnership with local municipal partners could be
implemented in 2021.
As requestedby Councilat its October 13, 2020meeting, this report is in response to
continuing concerns about speeding on County roads, and the suggestionthat lawn
signs encouraging drivers to slow down could be made available to concerned
residents.
DISCUSSION:
Historically, requests have been received from residents for additional road safety
measures to address concerns of speeding and aggressive driving. Lawn signs are a
cost-effectivemethod to bring awareness and toeducate motorists of their driving
behaviours.
The effective use of lawn signs predominantly on local roads within build-up settlement
areas, is increasingly more common asmany municipalities across the province have
implemented campaigns in recent years, including but not limited to City of London, City
of Toronto, City of Mississauga,City of Burlington, etc.
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Countystaff receive numerous concerns annually from residents regarding excessive
speeding. To address these concerns, staff undertake technical evaluations to
determine if posted speed reductions are warranted. In addition, the Elgin detachment
of the OPP assists County staff with enforcement and monitoring activitiesaimed at
reducing the speed of vehicles. It should also be noted that in the absence of a County
wide traffic calming policy, County staff also periodically relies upon the latest edition of
the Transportation Association of Canada’s Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, being a
guide aimed toprovide up-to-date information and guidance related to the planning,
design, installation, operation, and maintenance of traffic calming measures on local,
collector and arterial roads in Canada.
A Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign provides another tool for municipalities to confront
the issue of speeding predominantly and most effectively on local roads within built-up
settlement areas. The intent is to raise awareness to the issue of speeding and to
remind drivers of the importance to drive safely and obey the speed limit. Staff have
investigated lawn sign programs in other municipalities and if desired by Council, a pilot
LawnSign Road Safety Campaign, in partnership with local municipal partners could be
implemented in 2021 if so directed.
The following outlines the details of a proposed Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign:
Lawn Sign Design
Lawn signs would be printed double sided and constructed with a durable material
(coroplast) with a metal stake provided. The size of the signs wouldbe approximately
48 centimeters (19 inches) wide by 40 centimeters (16 inches) tall. The design ofthe
sign itself would be preparedby staffin partnership with local municipal partners,
ensuring professionalism andbranding. Below areexamplesof similar signsoffered by
other municipalitiesand other agencies:
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As directed by Councilin 2019, similar targeted traffic calming speed reduction
education temporary signagewas installed along Bank Street and Dexter Lineas part of
the ongoing Port Bruce – Temporary Bridge Traffic Control Plan.
Guidelines for Lawn Sign Placement
To ensure the success of a Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign and to ensure the
placement of signs doesnot create a sightline obstruction or a hazard for any
roadway users, staff propose the following program guidelines:
The signs must:
be set-back a minimum of 0.6 meters (2 feet) from curb or edge of the roadway
shoulder;
not obstruct the travelled portion of the roadway, median, traffic island, sidewalk,
bicycle path, or multi-use trail;
be inserted into the ground using the wire frame only;
be placed where it will not obstruct sight lines for pedestrians, cyclists or drivers;
and,
be placed as supplied and without further illumination or the use of reflective
tape.
Any lawn signs determined to be unsafe or require relocation for any reason may
be removed or relocated by either Countyand/or local municipal partner staff.
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Sign Distribution
The County and its local municipal partnerswould offer one sign per household, on a
first come first serve basis, freeof charge to residents. Countystaff would work
collaboratively with all stakeholders to establish a distribution method to be in place and
communicatedto the publicin the spring of 2021.
Following the manufacturing and distribution of lawn signs,Countystaff in consultation
with local municipal partners wouldevaluate the uptake and public response to the
program andreport back to Council before the end of 2021 to coincide with 2022 budget
deliberations.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of lawn signs is approximately $6.94(excluding HST) per sign.Based on the
production of500 sign units, which could besupplied toElgin County’s local municipal
partners and stakeholder agenciesfor distribution to the public,the anticipated total cost
to produce signage in support of a Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign would cost
approximately $3,500(excluding HST).Such material signage cost would need to be
accounted for within the 2021 operating budget. Furthermore, and following an
evaluation of the pilot campaign’s success in the fall of 2021,Council may wish to
allocate additional fundingfor the purchase of additional signs tobe included in the
2022 budget deliberations.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Serving ElginGrowing ElginInvesting in Elgin
Ensuring alignment of Planning for and Ensuring we have the
current programs and facilitating commercial, necessary tools,
services with community industrial, residential, resources, and
need.and agricultural growth. infrastructure to deliver
programs and services
now and in the future.
Exploring different Fostering a healthy
ways of addressing environment.
Delivering mandated
community need.
programs and services
Enhancing quality of
efficiently and
Engaging with our
place.
effectively.
community and other
stakeholders.
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LOCAL MUNICIPAL PARTNER IMPACT:
County staff would work collaboratively with all stakeholders to establish a distribution
method.
COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS:
County staff would work collaboratively with all stakeholders to establish a public
communication campaign strategy for release in the spring of 2021, which could include
but may not be limited to campaign information made available on the County’sand
each participatinglocal municipal partner’swebsites, and social media accounts.
CONCLUSION:
Atargeted traffic calming speed reduction education Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign
provides municipalities atool to confront the issue of speeding predominantly and most
effectively on local roads within build-up settlement areas. The intent is to raise
awareness to the issue of speeding and to remind drivers of the importance to drive
safely, obey speed limits, and to be cautious of all active transportation road provisions.
Staff have investigated lawn sign programs in other municipalities and if directedby
Council, a pilot Lawn Sign Road Safety Campaign, in partnership with local municipal
partnerscould be implemented inthe spring 2021at a cost of approximately $3,500
(excluding HST).
All of which is Respectfully Submitted
Approved for Submission
Brian Lima
Julie Gonyou
Director of Engineering Services
Chief Administrative Officer
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News Release
Ontario Developing a Stronger, More Effective Blue Box Program
October 19, 2020
Province consulting on plan to increase recycling in more communities and help divert
more waste from landfills
TORONTO — Ontario is kicking off Waste Reduction Week by unveiling regulations to improve the
blue box program. The enhancements include expanding the items that can be recycled and
making producers of products and packaging fully responsible for the waste they create.
"We're creating a stronger and more effective Blue Box program that actually works," said Minister
Yurek. "By harnessing the innovation and ingenuity of industry and expanding recycling
opportunities for people and businesses across the province, we can divert more waste away from
landfills by finding new purposes for products and reinserting them back into the economy."
The proposed new Blue Box regulation will:
Standardize and increase the list of materials accepted in the blue box including paper and
plastic cups, wraps, foils, trays, and bags and other single use items such as stir sticks,
straws, cutlery and plates.
Transition the costs of the program away from municipal taxpayers by making the
producers of products and packaging fully responsible for costs, resulting in an estimated
savings of $135 million annually for municipalities.
Expand blue boxservices to more communities, such as smaller, rural and remote
communities, including those under 5,000 people.
Set the highest diversion targets in North America for the various categories of waste
producers are expected to recycle such as paper, glass,beverage containers and rigid and
flexible plastic, encouraging innovation such as better product design and the use of new
technologies for better environmental outcomes.
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The province will also expand blue box services to facilities such as apartment buildings, long-term
care homes, schools and municipal parks in 2026 to provide the people of Ontario with more
opportunities to recycle and keep their communities clean.
The draft Blue Box regulationwill be posted for 45 days for public feedback, ending December 2,
2020.
Reducing plastic waste and litter and making producers responsible for managing the full life-cycle
of their products is a key part of theMade-in-Ontario Environment Plancommitment to balance a
healthy economy, a healthy environment and keep Ontario clean and beautiful.
QUICK FACTS
The proposed framework ensures that programs already having a positive impact on the
environment, like the Beer Store’s deposit return program, can continue under the new
producer responsibility model.
Waste Reduction Week runs from October 19-25 to promote environmental stewardship
and increase opportunities for Ontarians to participate in efforts to reduce waste.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan
Waste management in Ontario
Waste Discussion Paper
QUOTES
"The Ontario Waste Management Association supports the Ontario government’s commitment
to strengthen the Blue Box recycling program and set some of the highest waste diversion
targets in North America. Shifting funding responsibility of the Blue Box to producers will
create a catalyst to improve Ontario’s recycling performance. This is not only good for the
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environment, it is good for the economy, and will encourage investment, job creation and
innovation in the recycling and resource recovery sector."
— Mike Chopowick, CEO, Ontario Waste Management Association
"The Canadian Beverage Association welcomes the government's proposed beverage
container diversion targets of 75 per cent by 2026 and 80 per cent by 2030. Our sector plans
to build on the success of the Blue Box collection system and meet these targets by
introducing a new, comprehensive beverage container recycling program with convenient
public space recycling at parks, public buildings and special events."
— Jim Goetz, President, Canadian Beverage Association
"As one of Canada’s leading beverage companies, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada supports the
Ontario Government’s policy to expand and improve the recycling system, by ensuring items
like recyclable coffee pods will be included. Our company remains steadfastly committed to
reducing packaging waste. We look forward to continuing to work with the government and
municipalities across the province to build a more sustainable Ontario for generations to
come."
—Stéphane Glorieux, President, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada
CONTACTS
Andrew Buttigieg
Minister’s Office
437-224-4599
Andrew.Buttigieg@ontario.ca
Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch
416-314-6666
Gary.S.Wheeler@ontario.ca
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
http://www.ontario.ca/mecp
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