Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-09ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 9~ 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 4:10 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. A. Boterman, R. Dingman, B. Lemieux, R. Nandakumar and P. O'Toole. Messrs. R. dal Bello and D. Lippert where in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. G. Sosnoski, G. England, J. Willmer and G. Meincke. 1. CRPS-03-182 - CITY OF KITCHENER - ENERGY MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department Report CRPS-03-182 dated October 2, 2003, prepared in response to Council direction following the August 2003 hydro blackout, in consideration of continuing and/or augmenting energy consumption reduction initiatives achieved during the blackout. The report outlines energy management initiatives already underway and/or planned with respect to reducing energy consumption in City facilities. Messrs. G. Sosnoski, General Manager of Corporate Services & City Clerk and G. England, Energy & Building Controls Operator, attended with respect to report CRPS-03-182. Mr. Sosnoski advised that a number of building control adjustments have been made in City Hall that have resulted in significant annual savings and the 2004 Operating Budget has been reduced to capture these savings. He advised that the City already has an aggressive energy management system, focusing on equipment retrofitting; building system control adjustments; and employee usage reductions (targeted at 3% reduction in 2004). Some initiatives planned for 2004 include: adjustments to temperature set points; shutting off computers when not in use; lighting retrofits; energy audits; and tracking / monitoring of systems to determine problem areas and produce real time consumption data. Mr. Sosnoski also addressed the issue of returning to production of co- generation power; however, he pointed out that at this time electricity rates are too Iow and gas rates too high to make this a viable option. In response to several questions, Messrs. G. Sosnoski and G. England commented on City Hall power consumption ratings and alternative energy sources (solar panels) being used at the Breithaupt Centre. Mr. D. Lippert entered the meeting at this time. GRANT REQUEST - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (R.E.E.P.) The Committee was in receipt of correspondence dated September 26, 2003 and supporting material from Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Program Manager, Residential Energy Efficiency Programm (R.E.E.P.), requesting the City's endorsement of R.E.E.P. and provision of finanical support of $20,000. in each of 2004 and 2005. R.E.E.P. is a community based partnership that provides home energy evaluations in Waterloo Region to determine how energy efficient a home is and to provide recommendations for improvements. Ms. M. Patterson attended in support of R.E.E.P.'s request and distributed additional supporting material dated October 9, 2003. Ms. Patterson advised that R.E.E.P. previously received City funding of $10,000. in each of 2002 and 2003. She pointed out that an increase in funding to $20,000. in each of 2004 and 2005 is being requested on the basis that R.E.E.P. intends to double its service base. She advised that R.E.E.P. has experienced a rapid increase in demand for its services with announcement of the Federal 'EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive' grant program which rewards homeowners, based on a point system, who make their homes more energy efficient. Ms. Patterson stated that the focus of R.E.E.P. is to shift toward increasing follow-up evaluations to document results that will be shared with communities and to assist with applications to the Federal grant program to ensure improvements are made. She commented that the City's support is needed to increase service capacity and allow services to continue to be offered at reasonable rates. In response to questions, Ms. Patterson spoke to concerns raised regarding targeting of older homes and the process of evaluation. She also commented on funding requests to other municipalities, noting that applications will be submitted to the Cities of Cambridge and Waterloo, and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo has already committed to $25,000. in 2004. Several members of the Committee spoke in support of approving the financial requests, commenting on the benefits of the project to the community. Mr. R. Nandakumar expressed the OCTOBER 9~ 2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. GRANT REQUEST RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (R.E.E.P.) (CONT'D) opinion that because of the substantial increase in funding being requested, the Committee should be given an opportunity to review results of the 2004 program prior to committing to funding in 2005. Accordingly, he proposed that only the funding requested for 2004 be supported at this time and further presentations be made at a future date for any additional funding in 2005. Mr. R. dal Bello expressed the opinion that the contribution requested from the City appears disproportionate to that committed by the Region of Waterloo and suggested that the City's contribution be decreased to within a range of $10,000. to $15,000. On motion by Mr. R. Nandakumar - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener endorse the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (R.E.E.P.), as outlined in a letter dated September 26, 2003 from Mary Jane Patterson, Program Manager; and, That subject to consideration during the 2004 budget deliberations, R.E.E.P.'s request to the City for a financial contribution in 2004 in the amount of $20,000., be approved as part of the Environmental Committee operating budget; and further, That prior to consideration of an additional funding request in 2005 of $20,000., R.E.E.P. provide a report in October 2004 to the City's Environmental Committee and City Council, outlining results of the R.E.E.P. program to date." DELEGATION PRESENTATION - URBAN AREA EXPANSION AND THE ENVIRONMENT The Committee was in receipt of correspondence dated October 9, 2003 from Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka, a member of several groups working on local support of public transportation, concerning the impact of urban expansion on public transportation and air quality. Ms. M. Wasilka attended to speak to the concerns outlined in her correspondence. She expressed the opinion that communities should be designed around alternative modes of transportation and trend toward mixed uses as opposed to single residential development. She referred to the intent of the Regional Growth Management Strategy to limit urban expansion and requested that the Committee consider establishing a working group to develop a similar planning tool to measure the impact of urban development on air quality. She suggested that such a tool could then be used to ensure the developer addresses air quality issues in the planning and design of future community developments. Mr. J. Willmer provided staff comment and suggested that implementation on a community basis would create a challenge given air is transient and air quality is impacted by a number of variables from within and outside the community. He pointed out that a number of initiatives are already underway that are geared toward the objectives of the delegation, including the Regional Growth Management Strategy which includes a hard countryside line and the City's Mixed Use Corridor Urban Design Briefs. Mr. Willmer suggested that the concerns raised by the delegation could be brought to the attention of the Regional Growth Management Strategy Co-ordinating Committee for consideration during development of implementation measures. Members of the Committee commented that while the concept of a 'tool' is good in theory, it is not practical and would place an unfair burden on the developer to address impacts to air quality when there is a significant number of contributing factors beyond the developers control. They expressed the opinion that more could be done to educate the public with respect to the benefits of mixed-use developments. Mr. R. dal Bello left the meeting during the Committee's discussion. On motion by Mr. B. Lemieux - it was resolved: OCTOBER 9~ 2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER "That no action be taken on the request of Mary Ann Wasilka to establish a working group to develop a planning tool to measure the impact of urban expansion on air quality." PRESENTATION - PROPOSAL FOR TOUGHER AIR QUALITY MEASURES The Committee was in receipt of a report dated September 23, 2003 prepared by Ms. Nirala Sonder, member of the Environmental Committee, concerning proposals for tougher air quality measures, including: adoption of a by-law to prevent unnecessary idling year round; posting of 'No-Idling' signs outside community centres, schools and businesses; allowing small businesses within residential areas; and allowing the Committee to review development plans and recommend changes. Ms. Sonder provided a copy of her presentation this date in which she outlined statistical data relative to motor vehicle idling and the impact it has on air quality. She suggested that education campaigns are a long term solution and requested that the City consider a faster, more aggressive approach by adopting an anti-idling by-law. She spoke to issues respecting transportation management, urban sprawl and increased dependency on motor vehicles, suggesting these issues are directly linked to urban air pollution. She suggested that consideration be given to rezoning existing developments to permit mixed uses (commercial uses in residential areas), encourage alternative modes of transportation and that more trees / greenery be planted to improve shopping centre parking lots, schools and parks. The Committee then entered into a discussion during which concerns were raised respecting the City's ability to enforce an anti-idling by-law. Several members of the Committee expressed reluctance toward adopting a by-law because of the difficulties associated with enforcement and suggested it would better to pursue increased public education. Mr. P. O'Toole expressed support for posting of 'No Idling' signs in high traffic drop-off areas such as community centres and schools. Mr. R. Nandakumar suggested that staff investigate the feasibility of incorporating into existing City Parking By-laws designated 'No Idling' zones in specified public areas. On motion by Mr. P. O'Toole - it was resolved: "That staff be directed to develop and post 'No Idling' signs outside City facilities, Community Centres, school zones and any other relevant sites." On motion by Mr. R. Nandakumar - it was resolved: "That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of incorporating into the City's Parking By-laws designated 'No Idling' zones within specified public areas and prepare a report for consideration at a future meeting of the Environmental Committee." Councillor B. Vrbanovic provided opportunity to the Committee to comment on the remaining proposals outlined in Ms. Sonder's report; however, no further discussion or recommendation was forthcoming. REGIONAL PESTICIDE USE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP - DRAFT 'PESTICIDE REDUCTION PUBLIC EDUCATION BUDGET (2003 - 2005)' Councillor B. Vrbanovic distributed this date correspondence dated October 3, 2003 from Mayor Wayne Roth, Chair of the Regional Pesticide Use Reduction Working Group and attached draft 'Pesticide Reduction Public Education Budget (2003 - 2005)'. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that the Working Group has developed a Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) Plan designed to educate the general public on the benefits of pesticide use reduction and alternative methods of maintaining healthy lawns. He explained that the framework of the proposed budget is based on 50% funding from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and 50% funding by area municipalities on a per capita basis. The City is being asked to fund 21% of the total budget in the amount of $4,220. in 2003; $50,640. in 2004; and a range between $25,425. to $28,801. in 2005. It was pointed out that an independent survey and focus groups will be used to determine perceived or actual barriers to pesticide alternatives and the results will be used to aid in the design of the CBSM Plan. OCTOBER 9~ 2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER REGIONAL PESTICIDE USE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP - DRAFT 'PESTICIDE REDUCTION PUBLIC EDUCATION BUDGET (2003 - 2005)' - (CONT'D) Discussion was then entered into during which members of the Committee expressed concerns with respect to the sizable investment to be made in the CBSM Plan without scientific data to support the perception that cosmetic pesticide use has a negative impact to the environment. It was also suggested that certain components of the draft budget were not appropriate, such as the proposed expenditure for fridge magnets. Councillor B. Vrbanovic pointed out that at this time the Committee has been presented with a conceptualized plan and suggested that as more information is compiled, the components will be evaluated and perhaps modified. A motion by Mr. A. Boterman to encourage City Council to support the Regional Pesticide Use Reduction Working Group's proposed CBSM Plan and draft 2003 - 2005 budget, including the apportionments attributed to the City, was voted on and Lost. On motion by Mr. R. Nandakumar - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener endorse in principle, the Regional Pesticide Use Reduction Working Group's draft 'Pesticide Reduction Public Education Budget (2003 - 2005)', as outlined in correspondence dated October 3, 2003 from Mayor Wayne Roth, Chair of the Working Group; and, That the Working Group's request to the City for a financial contribution in 2003 in the amount of $4,220. toward initiatives to be undertaken by focus groups that will aid in the design of a Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) Plan, be approved; and further, That prior to consideration of additional funding requests in 2004 of $50,640. and in 2005 ranging from $25,425. to $28,801., the Working Group provide a report in 2004 to the City's Environmental Committee and City Council, outlining results of focus group initiatives and how the results will be used in the design of the CBSM Plan." ECOFLUENCY FORUM & FAIR - PICTON, ONTARIO - MAY 3 & 4, 2003 The Committee was in receipt of background information pertaining to the Ecofluency Forum & Fair held in Picton, Ontario on May 3 and 4, 2003. The conference dealt with innovations in ecological waste / resource management for towns, farms and rural households and was attended by Mr. M. Aulich, member of the Environmental Committee. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator