THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

WMSAC - 2/2021
-
Council Chamber, 5th Floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, Ontario
Members Absent:
  • D. Damerla
  • G.S. Dhillon
  • P. Fortini
  • N. Iannicca
  • J. Innis
  • M. Mahoney
  • K. Ras
  • I. Sinclair
  • R. Starr

Councillor Starr, Committee Chair, called the Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting to order on April 1, 2021 at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive.

Other Regional Councillors Present: P. Saito; A. Thompson

Regional Chair Iannicca departed at 10:45 a.m., due to other municipal business

Councillor Starr introduced and welcomed Kealy Dedman as the new Commissioner of Public Works.

  • RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-6-2021:

    That the agenda for the April 1, 2021 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting, be approved.

     

Nil.

 

Presentation by Norman Lee, Director, Waste Management

  • Received
  • RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-7-2021:

    That the following Townhouse Waste Collection Options be approved and presented to townhouse residents, Board of Directors and/or Property Managers:

    • Option 1a - Cart-based garbage and recycling collection with choice of 120, 240 and 360 litre carts and cart-based organics collection with a 100 litre cart;
    • Option 1b - Cart-based garbage and recycling collection with choice of 120, 240 and 360 litre carts and cart-based organics collection with a smaller 46-80 litre cart;
    • Option 2a – Cart-based garbage collection with choice of 120, 240 and 360 litre carts, bag-based recycling collection and cart-based organics collection with a 100 litre cart;
    • Option 2b – Cart-based garbage collection with choice of 120, 240 and 360 litre carts bag-based recycling collection and cart-based organics collection with a smaller 46-80 litre cart;

    And further, that in townhouse complexes where Options 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b are not feasible, Townhouse Waste Collection Option 3, where all units in the complex purchase and use bags for garbage and recycling; and, use a single (consistent) cart size for organics (100 litre cart or a smaller 46-80 litre cart), be approved and presented to townhouse residents, Board of Directors and/or Property Managers;

    And further, that the following revised three-step consultation plan to inform townhouse residents, Boards of Directors and/or Property Managers of the waste collection service options and to confirm their preferred option, be approved:

    • Step 1 – Engage the Board of Directors to understand their decision-making process at the complex;
    • Step 2 – Engage the residents to explain the options available for the complex to allow for an informed decision by the complex;
    • Step 3 – Work with each resident to select garbage and recycling cart sizes and prepare for transition;

    And further, that staff report back to a future Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee on the consultation materials for Step 2 of the three-step consultation prior to distribution to townhouse residents, Boards of Directors and/or Property Managers, which are to include:

    • a clear explanation that the townhouse boards and property management makes the final decision for their respective townhouse complexes, not the Region of Peel;
    • options available to the townhouse complex and the advantages and disadvantages of each option;
    • clarification on the implementation timelines for the townhouses waste collection options and its alignment with the new waste collection contract anticipated to commence in 2024; and,
    • an education component on the transition of the Blue Box Program to full producer responsibility;

    And further, that the timing of the implementation of the new townhouse waste collection options be as follows:

    • Option 1a to be implemented at townhouse complexes following selection of option and cart sizes, in accordance with the selection process described in the report of the Commissioner of Public Works, titled “Townhouse Waste Collection Options” and the presentation of the Director of Waste Management titled “Update on Townhouse Waste Collection Options”, listed on the April 1, 2021 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee agenda;
    • Options 1b, 2a, 2b and 3 to be implemented at townhouse complexes following selection of option and cart sizes, in accordance with the selection process described in the subject report and subject presentation, subject to successful price negotiations with the Region of Peel’s cart suppliers and collection contractors, failing which, Options 1b, 2a, 2b and 3 would be implemented at the start of the new curbside collection contracts, anticipated to commence in 2024;

    And further, that townhouse complexes that have already been converted to carts remain on cart-based collection until the new waste collection contract anticipated to commence in 2024.

     

Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management, provided an overview of the criteria for assessment, the advantages and disadvantages, and implementation timelines related to the suite of options for townhouse waste collection.

Norman Lee stated that the Committee’s endorsement is required for the following three-step revised consultation plan to inform townhouse residents, Boards of Directors and/or Property Managers of the waste collection service options:

  • Step 1 – Engage the Board of Directors to understand the decision-making process at the complex.
  • Step 2 – Engage the residents to explain the options available for the complex.
  • Step 3 – Work with each resident to select cart sizes and prepare for transition.

Members of the Committee and other Regional Councillors present discussed and raised questions regarding: the implications of the decisions and rules of townhouse boards of directors or property management on waste collection options; municipal property standards; direct engagement with the residents on townhouse waste collection options; a potential tool kit to educate residents on options and benefits of waste diversion; a threshold to help determine which option would be fully supported by the residents from the townhouse complexes; the inclusion of an education component regarding the transition of the Blue Box Program to full producer responsibility; the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on staffing resources, community education and outreach; the consultation materials for the three-step consultation plan for Committee’s consideration prior to Regional Council’s approval; the waste diversion targets of the Region of Peel; and the timing of the new waste collection contract anticipated to commence in 2024.

Councillor Saito noted the importance of direct consultation with residents on waste collection options for all townhouse complexes in the Region. She stated that convenience and ease of use afforded to consumers for waste collection options would encourage greater resident participation and help to meet the Region’s diversion target rates.

Councillor Mahoney requested that the communication plan provide a clear explanation that the townhouse boards and property management makes the final decision for their respective townhouse complexes, not the Region of Peel. The communication plan should also clarify that the implementation timelines for the townhouses waste collection options align with the new waste collection contract anticipated to commence in 2024. He suggested that the Ward Councillors be included in the meetings with the townhouse board and/or property management.

Councillor Fortini stated that he continues to receive concerns from his constituents regarding their preference to use carts at townhouse complexes and concerns that decisions are made at townhouse complexes by the condominium management.

Councillor Mahoney requested that staff report back to a future meeting of the Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee with information on the consultation materials for the three-step communication plan for townhouse waste collection options to be provided to residents.

  • RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-8-2021:

    That operation of the Heart Lake Community Recycling Centre (Heart Lake CRC) be brought in-house to be operated by Regional staff effective April 1, 2022, as described in the report of the Interim Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the April 1, 2021 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee agenda, titled “Heart Lake Community Recycling Centre Operations”;

    And further, that 27 new staffing positions for in-house operation of the Heart Lake CRC, as described in the subject report, be approved in advance of the 2022 budget with staff training beginning in March 2022;

    And further, that funding for the purchase of new equipment for in-house operation of the Heart Lake CRC in the amount of $1.4 million be set up under Capital Project 21-6570, financed from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve;

    And further, that the Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer be authorized to increase the value or extend the term of existing contracts or award new contracts, on a direct negotiation basis or otherwise, on business terms acceptable to the Director of Waste Management and on legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor, in order to carry out the direction of this report for the Heart Lake CRC, subject to the limit of the program’s approved budget and notwithstanding the requirements of Part V of the Procurement By-law 30-2018, as amended;

    And further, that where the authority conferred or delegated is to be exercised other than in accordance with Part V of the Procurement By-law 30-2018, as amended, Council states that pursuant to sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the subject by-law, as a matter of public record, it is satisfied that procuring in such manner is necessary in the public interest to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted transition from the current operator of the Heart Lake CRC to Regional staff.

     

Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management, highlighted the key results from staff’s analysis to determine if the Region of Peel should continue to contract the operation of the Heart Lake Community Recycling Centre (CRC) or move the operation in-house in 2022, including: customer satisfaction level; performance; financial assessment; cost savings; efficiencies; and, staffing implications.

Councillor Ras indicated that moving the Heart Lake CRC operation in-house is the right direction for the Region and could help identify additional efficiencies.

  • RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-9-2021:

    That, while the Region of Peel wholeheartedly supports the transition of waste diversion programs to full producer responsibility, the Region of Peel does not support the proposed Hazardous and Special Products regulation in its current form;

    And further, that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks be requested to amend the Hazardous and Special Products regulation to designate all materials captured in Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the current Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Program;

    And further, that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks be requested to meet with representatives from the Region of Peel to discuss the Region’s comments and concerns regarding the proposed Hazardous and Special Products regulation;

    And further, that the comments outlined in the report of the Interim Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the April 1, 2021 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee agenda, titled “Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Transition to Full Producer Responsibility Update – Preliminary Analysis of the Draft Regulation” be endorsed;

    And further, that the Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer be authorized to increase the value, amend, or extend the terms of existing contracts or to award new contracts, on a direct negotiation basis or otherwise, on business terms acceptable to the Director of Waste Management and on legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor, in order to implement the new regulatory framework within the timelines contemplated by the draft regulation or such amended regulatory timelines where, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, such timelines or other regulatory provisions are not reasonably compatible with the carrying out of a competitive procurement process, provided that, in the opinion of the Regional Solicitor such new regulatory framework is substantially in the form contemplated by the draft regulations, subject to the limit of the program’s approved budget and notwithstanding the requirements of Part V of the Procurement By-law 30-2018, as amended;

    And further, that where the authority conferred or delegated is to be exercised other than in accordance with Part V of the Procurement By-law 30-2018, as amended, Council hereby states that pursuant to sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the subject by-law, as a matter of public record, it is satisfied that procurement in such manner is necessary in the public interest to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted transition from the current regulatory framework to the new one contemplated by the draft regulations;

    And further, that a copy of the subject report be shared with the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all Peel-area MPPs for their information.

Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management, summarized key points from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ proposed Hazardous and Special Products Regulation (proposed Regulation). The transition of the existing Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste program to the proposed Regulation is scheduled on July 1, 2021. He provided an overview on the rationale for Peel’s comments, recommendations and concerns on the proposed Regulation. The final Hazardous and Special Products regulation is anticipated to be filed in April or May 2021.

Members of the Committee and other Regional Councillors present discussed and raised questions regarding: a potential meeting with the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to discuss the Region of Peel’s position on the proposed Regulation; concerns from producers regarding the proposed Regulation; achieving waste diversion targets in Peel; targets for oil filters and non-refillable pressurized containers; proper disposal of diesel fuels; and, a suggestion that the proposed Regulation be discussed at a future meeting of the Association of the Municipalities of Ontario.

Councillor Innis requested that the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks be requested to meet with representatives from the Region of Peel to discuss the Region’s comments and concerns regarding the proposed Regulation.

(For Information)

  • Received

Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management, stated that the Waste Collection Agreement outlines both parties’ responsibilities in regard to waste management, identifies key contacts for inquiries, and commits the Region of Peel to provide the City of Mississauga with tonnage reports for corporate waste diversion tracking. The Agreement does not add any new services and Regional staff are working with the staff from City of Brampton and the Town of Caledon to develop similar agreements.

Members of the Committee discussed and raised questions regarding: mini compactors’ locations; transfer stations; and, proper disposal of waste and recyclable materials.

Nil.

Thursday, May 20, 2021
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Council Chamber, 5th floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, ON

Please forward regrets to Stephanie Jurrius, Committee Clerk, at [email protected].

The meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m.