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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-16ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 16, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:07 p. m. Present: Ms. S. Smith -Chair Councillors Y. Fernandes and D. Glenn-Graham and Messrs. M. EI-Hakim, R. Younis D. Hoshowsky, M. Peterson, and G. Zador. Staff: S. Adams, Director of Strategic Planning & Innovation C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. COMPASS KITCHENER ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE -FOLLOW UP The Committee was in receipt of the Compass Kitchener 2011 All Advisory Committee minutes, including a chart outlining all the identified connections between the various committees, dated May 28, 2011. Ms. S. Adams provided an overview of Compass Kitchener, noting that their mandate is to engage the community, collect feedback and report back to Council on the focus areas that have been identified by the Community. She noted that the first major community engagement process was `Who are you Kitchener', where community priorities were identified. Staff, along with Compass Kitchener, commenced a planning cycle to establish a 4-year business plan outlining the City's strategic directions and how these priorities will be achieved within the current term of Council. Ms. Adams stated that the All Advisory Committee gathering was an opportunity to review Committee workplans and identify connections between the Committees to help in achieving the City's strategic directions. In response to questions, Ms. Adams stated that each year Compass Kitchener hosts two All Advisory Committee gatherings, one in the spring where all members are encouraged to attend, and one in the fall where only Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs are invited. She noted that it is anticipated that Compass Kitchener will report back to Council on their identified strategic directions in June 2011. 2. 2010 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) - GRANT RECEIPIENTS FINAL REPORT The Committee was in receipt of the 2010 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) recipient applications. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a progress report from The Waterloo Region Idle Free School Initiative (WRIFSI), dated June 16, 2011, as well as an event summary report and newsletter from the Waterloo Wellington Children's Ground Water Festival (WWCGWF). Ms. Tania Del Matto, Executive Director, My Sustainable Canada, gave a presentation on the WRIFSI and outlined how they applied their 2010 CEIG funding. She advised that the program is a collaboration between two not-for-profit organizations, Dads Against Dirty Air (DADA) and My Sustainable Canada, to reduce automobile idling and inform drivers of their impact on the environment. She stated that the CEIG funding helped to produce 12 DADA Idle Free Toolkits and make connections with 14 Kitchener schools. Ms. Del Matto noted that there were some challenges with the initial start-up of the program, including: the lack of staff time/resources at schools for the introduction and use of the Toolkits; and, finding the appropriate contact person at each school. She further advised that the next steps for the initiative would involve: making monitoring and data analysis support more available to the participating schools; continuing with Toolkit promotion; and, communication of the programs results, best practises, and debriefing all of the interested parties. Several members expressed support for the WRIFSI, noting that an educational piece directed towards children could, in their opinion, also be effective in educating parents. Mr. G. Zador suggested contacting the schools' Environmental Studies Coordinator as a possible contact to facilitate program participation. Councillor Y. Fernandes suggested that WRIFSI contact Sustainable Waterloo, given their similar goals in reducing greenhouse emissions. Ms. Susan Reid, Festival Coordinator, WWCGWF, gave a presentation highlighting the Festival which took place on June 3, 2011, explaining how they used their CEIG grant. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 16, 2011 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. 2010 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) - GRANT RECEIPIENTS FINAL REPORT (CONT'D) She advised that the WWCGWF is a community based environmental event, celebrating 16 years of educating youth about the importance of water. She commented that the Festival promotes conserving and protecting water, understanding the water cycle, discovering the interface between water and technology; and, fostering respect toward water and the environment. Ms. Reid advised that this year the Festival hosted 63 elementary schools, totalling 3,947 students. Referencing the event summary report, she outlined the Festival's expenses, noting that the CEIG funding was used toward activity supplies and a guest presenter. She further advised that the event is constantly changing with new activities and presenters each year, and invited all the members to volunteer or attend next year's Festival. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham questioned WWCGWF's long-term ability to sustain its funding, and noted the event budget is quite significant at $90,000. Ms. Reid advised that the Festival is in its 16t" year and has achieve its annual funding targets thus far. She further advised that the WWCGWF is a good reflection of a community event as it has received contributions from several municipalities across Waterloo Region and Wellington County. 3. OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of the City of Kitchener Official Plan Review E-Newsletter, dated Spring/Summer 2011. Ms. C. Mussleman provided an update on the Official Plan Review, advising that a draft report will be presented at the June 20, 2011 Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting. She commented that following that meeting, the draft of the new Official Plan would be available to the public for review and comments until September 2011. Councillor Y. Fernandes questioned how much impact a citizen could have when providing comments on the Official Plan. Ms. Musselman stated that the Plan is a policy guide that will help to define the future of the City and any input received, in her opinion, would be beneficial. Ms. S. Smith questioned whether the Official Plan Sub-Committee that was selected at a previous meeting would be circulated a copy of the document to provide feedback to staff and the Committee. Ms. Musselman advised that the Sub-Committee could review the Official Plan at http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/OfficialPlan.asp. She noted that aSub-Committee meeting could be scheduled for early September 2011 to consolidate comments, with a report anticipated to come forward to the September 16, 2011 Environmental Committee meeting. 4. 2011 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) -COMMITTEE FEEDBACK 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 due to Council's summer recess, amendments to Council Policy I-590 would need to occur following the 2011 CEIG selection process. She commented that with so many new members on the Committee, they may wish to go through one round of applications before considering any revisions for the 2012 CEIG program. She reminded members that advertising funds come from the overall budget allotted to the program, noting that high advertising costs reduces the funding available for distribution to grant recipients. Ms. Musselman requested members to consider potential inexpensive advertising options. Several members requested minor clarifications on who is eligible for the program and what types of environmental projects are eligible for funding. Councillor Y. Fernandes suggested that municipal and regional programs should not be eligible for grant funding. Ms. Musselman noted that the eligibility criteria currently disqualifies those projects, however there have been occasions when the Committee have recommended exceptions depending on the number of applications received or the type of program. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 16, 2011 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. 2011 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) -COMMITTEE FEEDBACK (CONT'D) Several members expressed appreciation for the follow-up presentations from the 2010 CEIG recipients, stating it provided a greater sense of accountability. Members requested that follow-up presentations be required from future grant recipient. At the request of Ms. S. Smith, staff agreed to notify the Committee via e-mail when the grant application is posted online; thereby enabling members to forward it on to potential grant applicants. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:00 p. m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator