Cinergy Correspondence Diary 2 2007

2007

January 11, 2007, from Optimira/Vestar/Cinergy project supervisor Al Gaanderse:

I would like to inform you that Optimira will have Insymtec Electrical begin the necessary wiring for preparation of the automation system being installed at Dufferin Grove Community Centre. This work has tentatively been scheduled to begin the week of January 29th, 2007.

January 11, 2007, to Optimira/Vestar/Cinergy project supervisor Al Gaanderse:

Thanks a lot for letting us know -- I've passed it along to on-site rink staff. It's not actually called a community centre, it's just a compressor-cooled outdoor rink -- but I'm sure that's what you mean.

Do you know whether Wallace Rink was already automated, during its reconstruction? (just finished).

January 12, 2007, from Optimira/Vestar/Cinergy project supervisor Al Gaanderse

We had completed our work at Wallace prior to the reconstruction project.

August 12, 2007, to Mr. Jim Kamstra, Manager of Energy and Waste Management, Facilities and Real Estate

You may remember me, you and I talked about the arena energy retrofit project in early 2006. Would you be able to send me a link to any subsequent reports on this project, to the relevant committee of council? I can only find this, on the city web site: http://www.toronto.ca/environment/initiatives/arena_retrofits.htm#project, and it's too general.

I need an update but it needs to be more specific. For instance, I gather that not all the arenas ended up signing on to the project. Also, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation budget report says that utility costs have gone UP, but there are no specifics. And in any public version of that budget, I see no utility cost breakdowns.

Would you be able to direct me to more detailed reports submitted to councillors?

August 21, from Mr. Jim Kamstra, Manager of Energy and Waste Management, Facilities and Real Estate

The following arenas were not included in the program for various reasons:

Stephen Leacock Arena

Wallace-Emerson Community Centre,

Joseph J. Piccininni Community Centre,

Nathan Philip Sq.AIR,

Mel Lastman Square, Glen Long C.C. A.I.R.,

Moss Park Arena,

North Toronto Memorial Arena,

Forest Hill Memorial Arena,

William H. Bolton Arena,

McCormick Arena,

Weston Lions Arena,

Lakeshore Lions Arena,

Albert Campbell Outdoor AIR.

There has not been any other reports sent to Council or Committee of Council on this project. Attached is the one report that was sent initially.

While we have been reducing energy use in the arenas energy costs have actually gone up due to inflation.

August 21, 2007, to Mr. Jim Kamstra, Manager of Energy and Waste Management, Facilities and Real Estate

So 14 out of the 100 possible sites were not retrofitted through Optimira, including most of the BOM arenas.

I know that utility prices have gone up everywhere, so I'm not surprised to hear that arena/rink costs have gone up too. What I would like to see is

1. which projects the unused rink/arena energy retrofit money went to 2. current and recent-year comparative utility-use numbers and costs for arenas/rinks 3. the summary report for the Cinergy/Vestar/Optimira energy retrofit project (I assume that this project is completed).

Since it sounds like no such report has yet gone to Council, could you let me know where to find it? I am doing a handbook now for our research centre, on the Parks/Forestry/Recreation budget. That information is one piece I need.

October 4 2007, from Mr. Jim Kamstra, Manager of Energy and Waste Management, Facilities and Real Estate

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

1. Funds were not specifically dedicated to individual arenas/rinks. We had more recommended measures than we had funds.

2. We are working on the utility savings reports. They are incomplete and therefore would not give an accurate picture. The first quarterly report will be ready in January 2008.

3. A project case study is being prepared and will be completed in the next couple of weeks. I will send a copy to you when complete. We are preparing this for Parks and other interested parties.

This was followed up in 2008

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>>> Jutta Mason <jutta.mason@sympatico.ca> 12/5/2007 11:02 AM >>>

Hello Jerry,

Re: City of Toronto Access request Number 05-1379, IPC appeal MA-050302-1 and IPC order MO-2228

As mentioned before, there are a few important photocopies in the records you sold us that are illegible (print too small) and need to be redone so that we can read them.

The pages are (your numeration):

• 615
• 739
• 766
• 800
• 805
• 833
• 867

It would be very helpful if if you could obtain legible copies for us. Will we be charged photocopy fees for those?

Jutta Mason

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Jerry Verhovsek wrote: Hi Ms. Mason:

Most of these letter size records that you identified have tiny print and the clarity of the numbers has gotten worse because of the severing process which involves copying of the original pages, then severing the copied pages, and then copying them again.

I believe in this particular situation the best solution is to read the scanned version of these severed pages, so that you can zoom up on these tiny numbers and determine what they are. The chart on Page 739 is just a sample and contains no information.

Our CAP Office does not send copies of records by fax or as e-mail attachments. However, in this situation I am making an exception and sending the requested scanned severed documents to you , as it seems to be the best way to make them legible for you.

The 7 pages you requested are in one attached scanned document. To view it, use Windows Picture and Fax Viewer or other similar picture viewer that allows you to select which of the pages within this document to view. Not all picture viewing software enable you to cursor through multiple page documents. If one software you use doesn't work, try another software on your computer. Select the zoom feature and set it to 200% or more to get a close up look at the tiny numbers in the severed spreadsheet data.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to call me.

Jerry Verhovsek
Access & Privacy Officer
Ph# 416-392-4902

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`-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Reply re: Can't read the photocopies--Access Request # 05-1379 Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:34:16 -0500 From: Jutta Mason <jutta.mason@sympatico.ca> To: Jerry Verhovsek <jverhov@toronto.ca> CC: Belinda Cole <belinda@magma.ca>, Corey Chivers <coreychivers@hotmail.com>, Jane Price <jane.price@rogers.com> References: <BAYC1-PASMTP015AC64FFBBA65A1601E7A9F6E0@CEZ.ICE> <47580C0B020000E0000014B7@gwia.toronto.ca>

Hello Jerry,

Re: City of Toronto Access request Number 05-1379, IPC appeal MA-050302-1 and IPC order MO-2228

Thanks for sending the attachment. Sadly, all that the 200% zoom feature does is enlarge a blur, as you will readily see if you examine them yourself. We need clear copies. From Corey (our environmental researcher):

We need to be able to read the figures pertaining to energy savings (in energy units e.g.kWh, cu m, etc., not dollar amounts) that have been 'deemed' by CINERGY as a result of that company's automation and retrofits.

"Deemed energy savings" is one of the central questions we're trying to learn about, and we can't do it if we can't read the numbers on the pages I identified for you. I think you need to get Cinergy or Jim Kamstra to get you the originals and photocopy them legibly. Could you let me know how long that will take?

I'm assuming not very long, since legible copies must be part of the freedom of information deal, and the order was for showing them to us by the end of October.

Please let me know when we will be able to see these pages properly.

Thanks

Jutta

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`-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Energy Retrofit Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:31:15 -0500 From: Jutta Mason <jutta.mason@sympatico.ca> To: Mark Wilson <mwilson5@toronto.ca> CC: Denzil Minnan-Wong <dminnan@gmail.com>

Hi again Mark,

One of the items from our last meeting was our request to set up a meeting with you and the Councillor and Jim Kamstra, about the Energy retrofit project. I think it would be better to wait before doing that, because we've asked for a fair bit of material to be photocopied and it's not even here yet. Corey has to do the math and the science on all the numbers when we get the photocopies (his McGill science degree comes in handy here).

So we'll keep you posted.

We got a reply today from Corporate Access, to our request for all documentation re Item 4 (Rink closures) of the cost containment measures. The city clerk writes: "After careful consideration, I am of the view that the records you have requested are raising matters involved with policy development at the City" and they won't let us see any material involving policy development.

That should make a tasty appeal to the Ontario Freedom of Information office. It will take a year, but it's worth it!

Jutta

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`-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Fwd: Energy Retrofits - City Facilities Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:12:17 -0500 From: Denzil Minnan-Wong <dminnan@toronto.ca> To: <jutta.mason@sympatico.ca>

FYI. I haven't had a chance to look at this, yet.

>>> Jim Kamstra 11/05/07 12:10 PM >>>

Councillor Minnan-Wong,

Subject: Energy Retrofits - City Facilities

With reference to our meeting on October 25, please find attached a list of buildings where energy retrofits have been completed or are underway. Your concern related to whether the energy services firms were obligated to stand behind their savings estimates and how the savings were measured. In almost all the projects the energy service firm has guaranteed the level of savings. The savings are measured and confirmed using the utility meters. A base year is established and the savings are measured against the base year.

As mentioned in our meeting some facilities such as the artificial ice rinks (AIRs) do not have their own utility meters. The AIRs generally only operate 3 months of the year and are situated in a Park location were many other electrical loads are all included on the same utility meter. In this case the savings are deemed, ie, calculated based on generally accepted engineering principles.

The last two columns on the attached spreadsheet shows whether the savings are being measured against a base year or are deemed. While there are a number of facilities that have deemed savings they only comprise a very small portion of all the total savings.

If you have any questions on the above please let me know.

Jim Kamstra
Manager, Energy & Waste Management

Attachment: Energy Retrofit Listing November 2007

Content last modified on February 09, 2010, at 08:58 PM EST