The Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award honours one of Ontario’s youngest and most innovative Municipal Finance Commissioners.  The Award recognizes those municipal governments demonstrating excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency and to generate effectiveness through alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships. The Award’s objective is to showcase instances where Ontario municipalities have implemented and can point to tangible outcomes from new, more cost effective ways of providing public services and facilities.  By awarding and profiling innovation, we continue to advance creativity and strong municipal government.

• Call for Submissions for the 2010 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Awards.   

2009 P.J. Marshall Award Winners

2009 PETER J. MARSHALL PLAQUE WINNER

• Organization:  The County of Essex
  Topic:  Geothermal Snow- Melt System for Bridge Decks
  Project Description:
  The geothermal snow- melt bridge deck system utilizes a ground source heat pump system that recovers energy stored in the earth and transfers it to heat fluid that is circulated through the bridge deck.  The purpose is to eliminate black ice and small accumulations of snow and to reduce thermal expansion and contraction stresses.  The bridge is located over the north branch of Cedar Creek and its functional design features include a bridge drainage system that directs rainwater and snow-melt away from wetlands, solar recharge, a geothermal snow-melt system, and geothermal caissons with closed loop piping systems to heat the bridge deck.
  INTENDED AUDIENCE(S):
  This initiative is of specific interest the County of Essex and its residents, provincial and federal agencies, private stakeholders and First Nations.
  Goals and Objectives:
  The County of Essex is continuously pursuing environmental objectives to rehabilitate projects related to highway infrastructure, in a cost effective manner through private/public partnerships.  The County is also focused on the restoration and conservation of its natural resources.  This specific project is designed to treat black ice and increase road safety, reduce snow plough damage to the bridge, reduce damaging heat stresses and maintenance problems. In addition, by reducing salt use, the life of the bridge is extended.  

• Organization:  The Regional Municipality of Durham and the County of Elgin
  Topic:  Durham/Elgin Provincial Offences Act (POA) Collection Services Agreement
  Project Description:
  The purpose of the Collection Services Agreement was to enable Elgin County to partner with Durham, on a trial basis, to take advantage of the Region’s state-of-the art collection technologies, polices/procedures  and civil enforcement activities to collect on defaulted POA fines.  This Agreement has resulted in a seamless delivery of collection services and activities for Durham and Elgin and serves as an example of a best practice in inter-municipal partnership and collaboration.
  INTENDED AUDIENCE(S):
  This partnership initiative is of primary interest to County of Elgin and its residents, the Region of Durham Collections Section and to other Ontario municipalities who are interested in integrating POA collection services/activities or in process improvements.
  Goals and Objectives:
  With the 2007 Provincial Offences Collections Officer vacancy, Elgin County considered options for continuing this service and concluded that a partnership with the Durham Collections Section would be pursued on a one year trial basis.  Durham had developed leading edge collection processes, including a website for POA fine collections, “Pay tickets,” now in use in a number of municipalities. This partnership was focused on ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability, providing innovative and quality service, seeking opportunities for process improvement and forging community partnerships. The County of Elgin has authorized the extension of the services agreement for an additional five year period.       

2009 PETER J. MARSHALL CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARD WINNER

• Organization:  Town of Markham and EcoMedia Direct Inc.
  Topic:  Public Event Zero Waste Management Partnership and Civic Centre Zero Waste Program
  Project Description:
  Markham partnered with EcoMedia Direct Inc., the Town’s public space recycling contractor, to develop portable Zero Waste recycling units which can be easily dismantled, stacked for storage and transported from public event to public event. The Town’s Zero Waste Event Policy requires vendors to use recyclable/compostable products to increase the proportion of the waste stream that can be recycled.  As of January 1, 2009, all Town sponsored events must conform to the Zero Waste Policy for Food and Catering Services and Events, which prohibits the use of plastic utensils and clamshell containers, in favour of reusable or compostable products.  The project also assists event organizers by providing staff training and educational materials and sources for recyclable products.  The Town’s move to Zero Waste has been a process of change, collaboation and partnership.  Markham’s Waste Management Department, the Asset Management/Division and the Purchasing Department worked together to ensure that all policies, contracts, purchasing decisions and operating procedures were reviewed to achieve Zero Waste Policy objectives. Key operational areas included food and catering services and housekeeping services and an internal recycling system was fully revamped to include organic and commingled recycling.
  INTENDED AUDIENCE(S):
  The program is aimed at the Town of Markham municipal staff, local residents, businesses and schools, visitors and users of Civic Centre facilities.
  Goals and Objectives:
  The Program has been designed to create a cost effective, efficient, user friendly system to service temporary events venues such as public streets and parks through the development of a portable Zero Waste unit, assistance to event organizers holding Zero Waste events and policies to encourage recycling at events.  Recycling generates good publicity for event organizers and reduces waste disposal costs.