HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-21ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p. m.
Present: Ms. S. Smith -Chair
Councillors Y. Fernandes and B. Vrbanovic, Ms. L. Matthews, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. B.
Ciochon and Messrs. S. Grossman, D. Hoshowsky, M. Peterson and R. Younis
Staff: W. Sleeth, Landscape Architect
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. COMPASS KITCHENER ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKSHOP
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 on May 28, 2011 from 9-11:00 a. m., at Wilfrid Laurier's Faculty of Social Work. Ms.
S. Smith noted that anyone wishing to attend needs to RSVP by May 20, 2011.
2. MULTI-USE PATHWAY (COMMUNITY TRAIL) MASTER PLAN
The Committee was in receipt of a presentation prepared by MMM Group and Eco Plans Ltd.,
entitled "Multi-use Pathways Master Plan and Implementation Strategy, Environmental
Committee -Project Update", dated April 21, 2011.
Mr. Jay Cranstone, MMM Group, presented the draft Multi-use Pathway (Community Trail)
Master Plan, advising that the goal is to define and prioritize a network of continuous off-road
walking and cycling trails that provide active and complete links to all the major destinations
within the City. He stated that there has been an emphasis on shifting from personal vehicle
use to other modes of transportation, thereby increasing the public demand for ahigh-quality,
connected trail network. Mr. Cranstone advised that the Master Plan is meant to provide short,
medium and long-term goals for dealing with the design, development and operation of a multi-
use pathway network. He noted that the project was undertaken in three separate phases:
Phase One: Understanding Resources, which included research, reviewing current inventory
conditions and public consultation; Phase Two: the Development of the Master Plan; and,
Phase Three: Finalizing the Master Plan. Currently, the project is in Phase Three with the
anticipation that the final recommendations will be presented to the Community and
Infrastructure Services Committee on May 30, 2011.
Councillor Y. Fernandes questioned whether the public consultation methods used to receive
feedback from the residents was sufficient to create policies and strategies that adequately
reflect the entire City. Mr. Cranstone advised that the on-line survey was just one of the public
consultation methods used to obtain information from citizens. He noted that there were also
two scheduled open houses and organized stakeholder sessions, which included several
members of the public.
Questions were raised regarding the potential costs of implementation and whether private
industries have been considered for funding some of the maintenance and expansion fees. Mr.
Cranstone advised that the implementation strategies do take into consideration the potential of
private partnerships to both expand and maintain the trail system. In areas of new
development, consideration has been given to include the installation of new trails in the
development process. Mr. Cranstone further advised that the City would also be eligible for
additional funding through the Infrastructure Funding Projects due to the development of the
Master Plan.
3. MULTI-USE PATHWAY (COMMUNITY TRAIL) MASTER PLAN - SUB-COMMITTEE
REPORT
The Committee was in receipt this date of the Multi-use Pathway (Community Trail) Master
Plan Sub-Committee report, providing comments on the Multi-use Pathway (Community Trail)
Master Plan. Mr. S. Grossman, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, spoke in support of the draft
Master Plan, advising that the document is well organized. He led the Committee in a review
of the Sub-Committee report highlighting the following comments/suggestions:
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APRIL 21, 2011 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. MULTI-USE PATHWAY (COMMUNITY TRAIL) MASTER PLAN - SUB-COMMITTEE
REPORT (CONT'D)
• the document would be enhanced if it included sections relating to: implementation;
operations and maintenance; summary of recommendations; or, next steps;
• consideration should be given to the use of more accessible language to increase the
potential readership;
• providing everyday examples of environmental savings would help demonstrate and
add additional incentives to encourage people to change their behaviours towards
environmental protection;
• additional research should be undertaken with regards to the Water Bean Grand River
Community Trails Corporation and the Grand River Community Trails Foundation; and,
• the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trails Corporation was incorporated in 1998
not 1996 as stated on page 16 of 3.1.6 of the Trails Master Plan. The Foundation was
formed in 2000.
In response to comments put forward by the Sub-committee, Mr. W. Sleeth advised that the
Multi-use Pathway (Community Trail) Master Plan was being developed at the same time as
the Official Plan review, which presented an opportunity to make recommendations for
additional/new policies to be incorporated into the Official Plan specific to multi-use pathways.
He commented that public education will be a key function of the Master Plan and the
Committee's feedback regarding format will be considered when the document is revised.
Several members questioned whether there would be an additional opportunity to provide
feedback. Mr. Sleeth advised that the development of the Master Plan has an aggressive
timeline, and considering the Sub-committee's feedback, there may be an opportunity to
extend the public review period to receive additional feedback from the Committee. He agreed
to notify the Committee once the Master Plan has been revised.
4. EARTH DAY 2011 STATUS REPORT
Ms. C. Musselman reminded members that April 22, 2011 is Earth Day, and encouraged
everyone to participate in an Earth Day event in their community. She stated that this year
over 60 neighbourhoods have registered to organize their own community clean-up, adding
that City staff will be participating in the 20 Minute Makeover. She reminded members that the
Kitchener Natural Area would be hosting an Earth Day event on April 23, 2011, starting at 1:00
p. m.
5. ANNUAL SELECTION OF THE BEST BETS -SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from the Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets
Sub-Committee, dated April 12, 2011 concerning the proposed Five Best Bets for 2011. Ms. L.
Matthews advised that the Sub-Committee reviewed the 19 potential Best Bets that were
identified through the Committee's ranking process, and have recommended actions from four
of the seven functional areas outlined in Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment.
Concerns were raised regarding recommended Best Bet #4 and whether this initiative has
already been accomplished. Ms. C. Mussleman advised that the Best Bets can be action
items or can reiterate environmental initiatives that are currently being undertaken to
emphasize their importance.
It was noted that any recommendation from the Committee concerning this matter would be
considered at the May 30, 2011 Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, to
permit the public announcement of the 2011 Best Bets by Clean Air Day on June 8, 2011.
On motion by Mr. M. Peterson -
itwas resolved:
"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:
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APRIL 21, 2011 - 13 - CITY OF KITCHENER
5. ANNUAL SELECTION OF THE BEST BETS -SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT (CONT'D)
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 1.1 b 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,
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."
6. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2011-2012 WORK PLAN - IDENTIFICATION OF
COMMITTEE PRIORITIES
The Committee considered a revised draft of its 2011-2012 Work Plan, dated March 9, 2011.
In addition, the Committee was in receipt of a ranking chart, containing the members' rankings
of the newly suggested Work Plan items.
Ms. C. Musselman provided an overview of the circulated materials, advising that the current
Work Plan has several initiatives still to be completed or are currently underway. She
suggested that the Committee might want to select their top two or three items to be included
in that document. She noted that the newly selected Work Plan items would be compiled into
a consolidated list, which would include potential timelines for completion; and, brought forward
for consideration at the May 19, 2011 Environmental Committee meeting.
Ms. S. Smith suggested that the Committee could select from the following ranked items,
which received either first or second place votes:
• joint meeting with the Cycling Advisory Committee;
• the establishment of Environmental Benchmarks;
• Rapid Transit Review;
• Brownfield's annual update; and,
• the Development of Sustainability Indicators.
Several members spoke in support of having a joint committee meeting with the Cycling
Advisory Committee to discuss items of common interest. Ms. Musselman stated that she
could speak with the Committee Administrator for the Cycling Committee to inquire about the
potential for a joint meeting.
Questions were raised regarding what expectations would be placed on the Committee if the
`establishment of benchmarks' was chosen as a Work Plan item. Ms. Musselman advised that
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APRIL 21, 2011 - 14 - CITY OF KITCHENER
6. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2011-2012 WORK PLAN - IDENTIFICATION OF
COMMITTEE PRIORITIES (CONT'D)
staff are presently pursuing the establishment of environmental indicators/benchmarks. She
noted that the Committee assisted with the identification of environmental indicators that have
been used to help measure and monitor the implementation of the City's Strategic Plan for the
Environment. She added that staff could provide additional information to clarify the purpose
of these indicators.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic commented that in addition to the environmental indicators suggested
by Ms. Musselman, there are additional opportunities to achieve environmental benchmarks
that the Committee could undertake as part of its Work Plan. He advised that the City is a
member of Partners for Climate Protection (PCP), which is associated with the International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), a program that uses afive-milestone
framework to reduce greenhouse gases. He spoke to other environmental programs, such as
`The Natural Step', which are also dedicated to building more successful and sustainable
environmental futures, and suggested that those programs may help engage the community.
To better understand the various programs, the Committee requested that staff provide
additional information on PCP, ICELEI and `the Natural Step'.
Councillor Y. Fernandes requested clarification on the `Hang to Dry Campaign' and questioned
how the Committee would complete this as an action item. Ms. Musselman stated that the use
of clotheslines were previously prohibited in neighbourhoods throughout the City due to
restrictive covenants that were signed at the time of purchasing a home. She noted that
covenants restricting the use of clotheslines are not enforceable. She further advised that as a
Work Plan item the Committee could consider implementing an education program promoting
the use of clotheslines and highlighting their environmental savings.
Mr. M. Peterson suggested that the Stormwater Management Annual update could be
considered as an action item and questioned whether the Committee would have an
opportunity to participate in the creation of the rebate program for homeowners who undertake
initiatives to reduce their stormwater run-off. Councillor Fernandes suggested that the
Committee should take a tour of the Residential Energy Efficiency Project CREEP) House to
learn more about the different stormwater initiatives. Ms. Mussleman agreed to contact
Engineering staff regarding the potential for the Committee to play a role in the creation of the
Stormwater Management rebate program.
Councillor Fernandes questioned whether an Annual Brownfield update could be considered
as a Work Plan item. Ms. Musselman noted that she would speak with the City's Brownfield
Co-ordinator, about giving a presentation at a future Committee meeting.
Ms. Musselman stated that the requested information would be presented at the May 19, 2011
Environmental Committee meeting, to help finalize the 2011-2012 Environmental Committee
Work Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:22 p. m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator