HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-11-103 - Environmental Committee Recommendation - Air Quality in Kitchener Five Best Bets 2011~Tt~n>~~T~~
REPORT TO:
S~a~'Re~p~rt
Finance and Corporate Services Department
DATE OF MEETING:
SUBMITTED BY:
PREPARED BY:
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
DATE OF REPORT:
REPORT NO.:
SUBJECT:
RECOMMENDATION:
Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee
May 30, 2011
Environmental Committee
www.kitchenerca
Dianna Saunderson, Committee Administrator - ext 2594
All
April 28, 2011
FCS-11-103
AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER: FIVE BEST BETS FOR 2011
"That in accordance with the Air Quality in Kitchener (2010) Report, attached to
Development Technical Services Department DTS-10-149 approved August 2010, the
following be approved as the Five Best Bets for 2011:
Best Bet #1 - encourage the continuation of retrofits and/or installation of bike
lanes, paths and sidewalk connections that link trails to provide
safer routes, a mix of recreational routes and encourage more
users [Recommended Action 1.3c from the Air Quality in
Kitchener Report (2010)]; and,
Best Bet #2 - the City of Kitchener should promote educational opportunities
that would inform citizens of the benefits of natural areas re:
benefits of trees and wetlands -particularly native species
[Recommended Action 1.1b from the Air Quality in Kitchener
Report (2010)]; and,
Best Bet #3 - support a Public Bike Sharing Program. The system could
provide free or affordable access to thousands of bicycles as
alternatives to private vehicles [Recommended Action 3.1a from
the Air Quality in Kitchener Report (2010)]; and,
Best Bet #4 - encourage the Region of Waterloo to open or enable permanent
localized recycling /electronic /hazardous waste drop off depots
[Recommended Action 6.2a from the Air Quality in Kitchener
report (2010)]; and,
Best Bet #5 - encourage considerations of the implications for air quality and
global climate change during the development of long-range
plans [Recommended Action 4.2b from the Air Quality in
Kitchener Report (2010)]; and further,
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Staff Re~p~r~
I~TCn~nT~~ Finance and Corporate Serlvices Department www.kitthenexca
That staff through the City's Environmental Study Group be directed to investigate the
feasibility and, if appropriate, pursue the implementation of the Air Quality in Kitchener
Five Best Bets for 2011."
BACKGROUND:
In May 2006, the Environmental Committee presented a report to Council entitled Air Quality in
Kitchener (2006). The report was the culmination of over a year of deliberations by members of
the Environmental Committee responding to direction from Council in November of 2004 to
develop along-term, "comprehensive plan" on the air quality in the City of Kitchener. The report
included a series of (50+) Recommended Actions and, in 2006, five (5) of these actions (Five
Best Bets) were put forward by the Environmental Committee for investigation by staff. Council,
at the request of the Environmental Committee, endorsed the recommended Best Bets and
directed staff to commence an examination into the feasibility and potential of implementation.
The Environmental Committee has continued to annually select and recommend Best Bets
since 2006.
In 2010, the Environmental Committee, with the assistance of City Staff, developed the `Air
Quality in Kitchener 2010' report, which builds upon the success of the 2006 document. This
updated Report contains additional short and long-term Recommended Actions, and are the
basis of the Environmental Committee's Five Best Bets for 2011, as outlined herein.
REPORT:
At the April 19, 2011 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed the 50+
Recommended Actions outlined in the Air Quality in Kitchener (2010) report. Based on that
review, the Committee has selected the recommended Five Best Bets for 2011.
Subject to Council's approval of the annual Five Best Bets, all affected Departments, Divisions,
and / or staff will be notified and requested to commence their study on each Recommended
Action's feasibility for implementation. Following this, the affected staff should consider the
advisability and necessary steps, including budget requirements, in implementing the
Recommended Actions. In the Fall 2011, staff will provide an update on their investigation into
each of the Five Best Bets, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Environmental Committee.
Finally, staff will provide a report in the Spring 2012, to the Environmental Committee on the
previous year's Best Bets.
Each year in May, (just before the next best bets are announced in June) a final report is
prepared by staff and presented to the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee. In 2010,
the Committee updated the 2006 Air Quality in Kitchener and did not select 5 best bets so there
is no final report for this year.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Endorsing the Environmental Committees' recommended Best Bets for 2011 align with the
Strategic Plan by directly supporting the commitment to conserving, protecting and improving
the environment, which has been identified as a Community Priority.
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Staff Re~p~r~
I~~rc~~nT~~ Finance and Corporate Serlvr`ces Deparfm~nt www.kitchenexca
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The timing for the annual Five Bests Bets selection was set to permit their public announcement
on Clean Air Day, a day proclaimed by the Government of Canada, and occurring on the first or
second Wednesday of June each year as part of Canadian Environment Week. In 2011, Clean
Air Day is June 8th.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO
Finance and Corporate Services Department
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