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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-19ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:06 p. m. Present: Ms. S. Smith -Chair Councillors Y. Fernandes and D. Glenn-Graham, Ms. L. Matthews, Ms. S. Danckert and Messrs. S. Grossman, M. EI-Hakim, D. Hoshowsky, M. Peterson, R. Younis and G. Zador Staff: T. Boutilier, Senior Business Development Officer C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. PRESENTATION - BROWNFIELD INVESTMENT IN KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of a presentation, entitled "Brownfield Investment in Kitchener," dated May 19, 2011. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a draft copy of the City of Kitchener's Economic Development Strategy 2011-2015. Mr. T. Boutilier reviewed the presentation, advising that Kitchener has had along-standing reputation in Brownfield development, given the City's industrial heritage. He stated that Brownfield properties are parcels of land containing environmental contamination either in the ground or buildings, due to the operational activities of a previous land use, where the extent of the contamination rendered the property vacant, under-utilized, unsafe, unproductive or abandoned. He commented that the redevelopment of these lands hold both community and economic impacts, indicating that the City, through various economic development funding, provides opportunities for developers to invest in these properties. Mr. Boutilier advised that there are three different options that the City provides for Brownfield development including: direct action; financial incentives; and professional assistance. He stated that through these different options, there have been several successful residential and commercial development projects, including: The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy; the Lang Tannery; and the Kaufman Lofts. Mr. Boutilier further advised that some of the more challenging Brownfields within the City are vacant former gas station sites. He noted that in addition to the contamination, these lands typically face other challenges related to site specific Planning Act requirements. Accordingly, it is difficult to attract investors willing to re-develop these sites. He pointed out that, through various economic development incentives, 5 of the City's original 17 gas stations have been successfully re-used. He then spoke to the need for enhanced regulations governing the licensing of gas stations to address site remediation. Several members spoke in support of the City pursuing such an initiative. In reference to the draft Economic Development Strategy 2011-2015, Mr. Boutilier encouraged members to review the circulated document and forward comments to him at Terry. Boutilier(a,kitchener. ca. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - itwas resolved: "That staff endeavour to present a report on the establishment of stricter rules and regulations in relation to gas station business licensing at a future Environmental Committee meeting." 2. CSD-11-073 - REQUEST FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER TO BECOME AN OBSERVING ORGANIZATION OF SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO The Committee was in receipt this date of Community Services Department report CSD-11- 073, dated May 12, 2011, regarding a request for the City of Kitchener to become an Observing Organization of Sustainable Waterloo. In addition, the Committee was also in receipt this date of the May 9, 2011 Council minutes, at which Council referred this matter to the Environmental Committee for feedback. Mr. Mike Morrice, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo, made a presentation, advising that they are anot-for-profit organization whose mandate is to advance environmental sustainability ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19. 2011 - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-11-073 - REQUEST FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER TO BECOME AN OBSERVING ORGANIZATION OF SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO (CONT'D) across Waterloo Region. Their current focus is on the Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI) which facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions by organizations across the Region. Mr. Morrice invited the City of Kitchener to join Sustainable Waterloo as an Observing Organization and requested that Mayor C. Zehr sit as a member on their Advisory Board, which provides ad-hoc support for strategic directions. He added that in recognition of contributions to Sustainable Waterloo through the City's Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) grant process, the $5,000. membership fee is proposed to be waived for the first year of the City's member participation. Ms. C. Musselman requested the Committee's feedback on the City becoming an Observing Organization of Sustainable Waterloo, noting that staff anticipate presenting afollow-up report at the May 30, 2011, Community and Infrastructure Services meeting. Ms. S. Smith questioned what would happen following the first year of membership. Mr. Morrice advised that following the first year, if the City no longer wanted to be an Observing Organization there is a 30-day cancellation clause in their membership agreement. Ms. L. Matthews questioned whether there could be any adverse impact to the City if it joined and whether the current work of Sustainable Waterloo would correspond with the environmental initiatives already being pursued by the Committee and/or staff. Ms. Mussleman advised that this would be an additional tool by which the City could measure its environmental successes. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - itwas resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Sustainable Waterloo, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, to enable the City of Kitchener to become a member of Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative as an Observing Organization on the basis of the $5000. membership fee being waived in the first year; and, That Mayor C. Zehr be appointed as a member of the Sustainable Waterloo Advisory Board, as a means of enhancing relationships with other organizations within Waterloo Region who are pursuing green house gas reductions; and further, That the Sustainable Waterloo membership fees be reviewed at the end of the first year." 3. VICTORIA PARK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT -UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of a presentation entitled "Victoria Park Lake Improvement Project," dated May 19, 2011 regarding the work being undertaken as part of the Victoria Park Lake Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to address sediment accumulation and water quality issues. Mr. M. Peterson, Public Advisory Member on the Victoria Park Lake Working Group, reviewed the presentation. He advised that the Victoria Park remediation project was initiated in 2009, with an Environmental Assessment (EA) as its initial planning phase, to identify the preferred alternatives to improve the Lake's water quality, managing short and long-term solutions to sediment build-up; and, maintaining the historical significance of the Lake and Park. He stated that there has been significant public involvement in the improvement, as the Lake has been identified as a landmark of Kitchener's Downtown. Mr. Peterson advised that the project has now entered the design phase, which is intended to: remove the sediment; deepen the lake; alter the outlet; add a forebay; and, include many of the Victoria Park Strategic Plan items, in the remediation. He stated that the project has an aggressive timeline, advising that construction is anticipated to begin in December 2011. He commented that public participation is encouraged, noting that the project website, http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/ Victoria Park Lake Improvements.asp will be updated regularly with frequently asked questions, publishing newsletters, and public information sessions. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19. 2011 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. VICTORIA PARK LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT -UPDATE (CONT'D) Several members questioned the contamination levels of the sediment and whether it could be reused on site or would have to be disposed of elsewhere. Mr. Peterson advised that the handling of sediment would be considered later in the design phase, once a further assessment has been completed. Mr. Grossman questioned whether these improvements would provide long-term solutions to sediment build up, or if similar work would be required again in 4 to 5 years. Mr. Peterson advised that the remediation is more extensive then the dredging that took place in the 1990s, including: a geese management plan and the elimination of the carp, which will also help with the regular stormwater initiatives. Mr. Peterson advised that the next meeting of the Public Advisory Committee is anticipated to be in June 2011, adding that he intends to provide a further follow-up to the Environmental Committee at a later date. 4. 2011 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) - PROGRAM REVIEW The Committee was in receipt of information materials regarding the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Program, including: Council Policy I-590 (Grant Program -Community Environmental Improvement), the 2011 CEIG Evaluation and Scoring Instructions; and, the 2010 CEIG Environmental Committee score sheet. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the circulated material, advising that the grant program is intended to fund smaller greening projects throughout the City. She noted that in previous years members conducted evaluations of the program's structure, suggesting that this Committee may wish to also undertake a review and propose changes prior to moving forward. She further advised that advertising funds come from the overall budget allotted to the program, noting that the more money spent on advertising reduces the funding available for distribution to grant recipients. Ms. Musselman stated that in previous years the CEIG was advertised through: the City's website; in Your Kitchener; on Facebook; and on Twitter, as a means of minimizing advertising costs. Ms. S. Smith referenced the timeline in Council Policy I-590 and questioned whether it would be possible to advertise the CEIG program during the summer months rather then closer to September as a means of potentially increasing the number of applicants. Several members spoke in support of this initiative and suggested that additional advertising options may be sought at community centres, either through posters on their display boards, or through their monthly newsletter. Ms. Musselman encouraged members put forward other advertising options, advising that time would be set aside at the Committee's June 16, 2011 meeting to discuss potential changes to the program. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2011-2012 WORK PLAN -ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON IDENTIFIED COMMITTEE PRIORITIES The Committee considered reference material prepared by Ms. C. Musselman, entitled "Work Plan -Additional Information," dated May 4, 2011, in response to inquires made at the April 21, 2011 Environmental Committee meeting. Ms. Musselman advised that since the April 21, 2011 Environmental Committee meeting, work has been undertaken on several of the proposed initiatives suggested for the 2011/2012 Committee Work Plan. She commented that the next edition of Your Kitchener would include an educational article on clotheslines and their benefits to the environment; a Special Council meeting has been scheduled to obtain public feedback on the Region's proposed Rapid Transit system; and, a Brownfield update was provide at this meeting. She stated that from the Committee's ranking and previous discussions, five proposed Work Plan items have been identified, as outlined in the reference materials. She suggested that these five items be added to those listed on the existing Work Plan, with the combined document forming the 2011/2012 Work Plan. She noted that any recommendations from the Committee concerning this matter would be considered at the June 20, 2011 Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19. 2011 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2011-2012 WORK PLAN -ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON IDENTIFIED COMMITTEE PRIORITIES (CONT'D) On motion by Ms. L. Matthews - itwas resolved: "That the Environment Committee Work Plan (2011/2012), consisting of the five newly proposed items along with those remaining on the previous Work Plan, be approved." 6. COMPASS KITCHENER ANNUAL ALL COMMITTEE GATHERING REMINDER The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Compass Kitchener inviting all members of the City's advisory committees to participate in the annual All Advisory Committee Gathering being held on May 28, 2011 from 9:00 a. m. -11:00 a. m., at Wilfrid Laurier's Faculty of Social Work. Mr. S. Grossman and Councillor D. Glenn-Graham volunteered to attend. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:03 p. m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator