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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-26ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:07 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Crossman - Chair Councillors D. Glenn-Graham and Y. Fernandes, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. C. Huxted and Messrs. P. Dowling, D. Hoshowsky, M. Peterson and R. Younis. Staff: C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator COMMITTEE ORIENTATION REFRESHER 1. Ms. C. Musselman gave a presentation entitled “2012 Environmental Committee Orientation”, including a refresh on the Committee’s Terms of Reference and a general overview of the Committee’s role and responsibilities. She led the Committee in a review of the materials contained in the information material circulated to them at the beginning of the term, highlighting the following: a Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (2007-2027); Air Quality In Kitchener Plan 2006; Council Policy I-590 (Grant Program - Community Environmental Improvement); Draft Kitchener Growth Management Strategy; the City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment; committee structure; members responsibilities; Advisory Committee Members Code of Conduct; the process for adding items to the agenda; and, Meeting Protocol. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE LIAISONS 2. The Committee was in receipt of job descriptions for the following Committee Liaison positions: Earth Day 2012 Organizing Committee; the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee; the Air Quality in Kitchener Sub-Committee; and, the Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP). Mr. S. Crossman advised that the job descriptions provide a brief summary of activities currently undertaken by the Committee and Members are welcome to put forward their names to participate in their preferred initiative. Ms. C. Musselman stated that an additional Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee has been proposed to review the programs Terms of Reference, as it had been identified as a Committee priority. She noted that any review of the CEIG’s Terms of Reference would need to be completed in the Spring to ensure there is no delay to the 2012 application process; and any changes would require Council’s approval. Mr. Crossman opened the floor to nominations and it was agreed that the following members would be appointed as Committee Liaisons: • Councillors B. Vrbanovic and D. Glenn-Graham and Mr. M. El-Hakim, be appointed to act as the Environmental Committee’s representatives to the Earth Day 2012 Organizing Committee; • Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. S. Danckert and Mr. G. Zador, be appointed to the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Application Review Sub- Committee; • Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. C. Huxted and Mr. G. Zador, be appointed to the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Program Review Sub-Committee; • Councillor D. Glenn-Graham and Messers P. Dowling and S. Crossman, be appointed to the Air Quality in Kitchener Sub-Committee; and, • Mr. M. Peterson and Ms. C. Huxted, be appointed as the Environmental Committee’s representatives to the Kitchener Natural Areas Program. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2012 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE PRIORITIES FOR 2012 / WORK PLAN 3. The Committee was in receipt of information material regarding the 2011–2012 Work Plan, dated January 10, 2012, in response to the request from members to review their existing Work Plan. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the material provided encouraging members to offer feedback / suggestions on the action items to ensure they in are keeping with the Committee’s existing goals, objectives and priorities. Ms. S. Danckert questioned whether the proposed timeline for the storm water management annual update is accurate, or whether it should be moved up on the identified list of priorities. She noted that members may wish to take a more active role in the pending Storm Water Credit Policy. Councillor Y. Fernandas advised that Council will be receiving a presentation on the proposed Credit Policy at the Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting on January 30, 2012. She expressed her concerns with the fact that the Committee was not consulted on the Policy itself prior to it being considered by Council. She encouraged members to review the policy and forward any comments to her email address, noting that she th could relay any comments provided to Council at the January 30meeting. Councillor Glenn-Graham suggested that an educational action item could be added to the existing Work Plan to include a presentation from staff on the best practices for winter salt use. Councillor Fernandes suggested that consideration should also be given to including an educational component on source water protection within the City.She indicated that Members may benefit from a presentation from the Region of Waterloo regarding the Clean Water Act to give a general overview on water quality. Ms. Danckert questioned whether there would be additional opportunities throughout the year to amend the Work Plan. Ms. C. Musselman advised that the creation and approval of a Work Plan was a recommendation from the 2008 Advisory Committee Review. She noted that any changes adopted by the Committee will require Council’s approval. She further advised that following this review, it is not likely the document will be revised again until 2013; however, there is some discretion with the proposed action items as the Work Plan is meant to function more as a guide to maintain the Committee’s focus. Ms. Musselman advised that Members are requested to provide any additional suggestions on what they would like to see the Committee accomplish in the coming year, reminding them that the items should correspond with the Strategic Plan for the Environment. She added that, due to time constraints, Members are requested to email their Work Plan suggestions to her no later than February 2, 2012 and time will be set aside at the February 16, 2012 meeting for discussion. GENERAL DISCUSSION - EARTH DAY - ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 4. Ms. C. Musselman advised that the Earth Day Committee has begun planning their events for 2012, noting that as part of their discussions they have suggested that members of the Environmental Committee, along with the Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC), consider hosting an environmental forum in conjunction with the other Earth Day events. Ms. Musselman stated that she is requesting feedback from members on whether this would be something of interest to them, and if so, any suggestions they may have on a potential theme. Mr. S. Crossman expressed his support for the Committee participating in Earth Day and suggested that it may be a good opportunity to highlight the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) program and the previous grant recipients. In response to questions, Ms. Musselman stated that Earth Week would be a great opportunity to highlight the CEIG recipients and there may be a possibility that the forum could take place on the same night as the Committee’s regularly scheduled meeting in April 2012, in lieu of the regularly schedule agenda. She noted that the meeting date corresponds with Earth Week and pending more information from the Earth Day Committee, there may be additional events being hosted at City Hall that could assist with promoting the forum. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2012 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER GENERAL DISCUSSION - EARTH DAY - ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM (CONT’D) 4. Several members expressed their support for hosting an environmental forum that would showcase the past CEIG recipients, noting that it would also be a good opportunity to promote the 2012 Grant program. Ms. Musselman indicated that the Earth Day Committee has scheduled another meeting between now and the Committee’s February meeting. She stated that members of the Earth Day Sub-Committee can relay the member’s interest in holding a forum and time can be set aside on the February agenda to further brainstorm ideas. GENERAL DISCUSSION - SOUTH SECTION OF THE STRASBOURG ROAD EXTENSION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - SUB-COMMITTEEREPORT The Committee was in receipt this date of the Strasburg Road Extension Environmental Assessment (EA) Sub-Committee report, dated January 20, 2012, providing comments on the EA. Ms. C. Musselman stated that time has been set aside at this meeting to discuss any potential feedback or direction that the Committee may want to propose regarding the Strasburg Road EA. She indicated that members of the Project Team will be in attendance at the February meeting to receive any additional feedback.She further advised that the role of the Environmental Committee will be complete once the members have provided their direction at the February 16, 2012 meeting. Mr. M. Peterson, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, expressed his concern with the endorsement of the EA. He advised that one of their biggest concerns was regarding the evaluation process conducted to determine the proposed alternative. He stated that the consultant who prepared the EA indicated that there was no numerical weighting system applied to the evaluation criteria. He questioned how it was possible for the Consultant to determine the best alignment alternative without some kind of statistical analysis. Mr. Peterson further advised that the three members of the Sub-Committee attempted to apply a numerical scoring system to the pie charts provided in the presentation and as outlined in the report, and each member identified a different preferred alignment. He stated that, in the Committee’s opinion, the evaluation conducted was too subjective and needs to be substantiated with some kind of weighted scoring system. Mr. Peterson referred to two potential recommendations listed as 9.1 and 9.2 in the Sub- Committee report for the Committee’s consideration. He noted that 9.2 specifically relates to the fact that the lands are currently under appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and it is the Sub-Committee’s opinion that until the appeal has been completed, no further work should move forward. In response to questions regarding his analysis using the simplified analytical hierarchy process, Mr. R. Younis stated that he used the short list of alignment alternatives and defined the weighted pie charts by a numerical figure to complete the analytical hierarchy theory. He noted that although the mathematical equation identifies E4 modified as the identified preferred alternative, he stated that in his opinion the pie charts were subjective and the preferred alternative could not be substantiated through this equation. Mr. Peterson stated that the Sub-Committee felt that indicators / measures comprising the evaluation criteria were thorough; however, the comprehensive summary comments appear to be qualitative only. Councillor Y. Fernandes expressed additional concerns regarding transparency and whether certain evaluation criteria were weighted higher than others, specifically questioning whether transportation costs were weighted more significant than the environmental impacts. Mr. Peterson commented that he has participated in several other EA’s for the City and in those instances, the Project Teams sought to be accountable through objectivity. He stated that, in his opinion, the Strasburg Road EA has not met those objectives to clearly identify the proposed alternative. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 26, 2012 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER GENERAL DISCUSSION - SOUTH SECTION OF THE STRASBOURG ROAD EXTENSION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT (CONT’D) In response to questions, Ms. Musselman reiterated that the Project Team will be in attendance at the February meeting to respond to any additional concerns and any potential recommendation would be best suited for that meeting. She advised that any recommendation coming from the February 16, 2012 Committee meeting would be forwarded to Standing Committee on February 27, 2012; which is also the anticipated presentation day for the Environmental Study Report for the Strasburg Road EA. Ms. C. Huxted requested clarification on the North Section of Strasburg Road and why it was not included in the EA process. Ms. Musselman advised that the Project Team would likely be able to provide greater clarification on the construction requirements for the North Section. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator