HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-12-103 - Air Quality in Kitchener - 2012 Best BetsREPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 28, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Environmental Committee
PREPARED BY:
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator Ext 2591
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 18, 2012
REPORT NO.:
FCS-12-103
SUBJECT:
Air Quality in Kitchener: Five Best Bets for 2012
RECOMMENDATION:
“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 2012:
Best Bet #1 - The City should continue to preserve and acquire parklands and natural
lands in existing developments [Recommended Action 1.1a from the Air
Quality in Kitchener report (2010)];
Best Bet #2 - The City and Region should provide creative measures to curb idling at
traffic lights by adjusting the timing of traffic lights during non-peak hours
[Recommended Action 3.3b from the Air Quality in Kitchener report
(2010)];
Best Bet #3 - Encourage the City to establish a Tree Planting and Partnership
Program by offering incentives to residents, community organizations,
schools, business improvement areas and volunteers to expand
resources for the planting, maintenance and care of trees
[Recommended Action 1.2a from the Air Quality in Kitchener report
(2010)];
Best Bet #4 - Continue to support by way of education, signage, advertising support,
and website updates private and/or community vegetable gardens within
the City [Recommended Action 4.4c from the Air Quality in Kitchener
report (2010)]; and,
Best Bet #5 - Ecological diversity (primarily native species) should be promoted in City
parks, private, commercial and industrial properties (e.g. butterfly
habitat, wildflower sections, plants that attract and/or sustain pollinators
and removal of invasive species.) [Recommended Action 1.1c from the
Air Quality in Kitchener report (2010)]; and further,
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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
2012.”
BACKGROUND:
In May 2006, the Environmental Committee presented a report to Council entitled Air Quality in
Kitchener (2006). The report was the culmination of over a year of deliberations by members of
the Environmental Committee responding to direction from Council in November of 2004 to
develop a long-term, “comprehensive plan” on the air quality in the City of Kitchener. The report
included a series of (50+) Recommended Actions and, in 2006, five (5) of these actions (Five
Best Bets) were put forward by the Environmental Committee for investigation by staff. Council,
at the request of the Environmental Committee, endorsed the recommended Best Bets and
directed staff to commence an examination into the feasibility and potential of implementation.
The Environmental Committee has continued to annually select and recommend Best Bets
since 2006.
In 2010, the Environmental Committee, with the assistance of City Staff, developed the ‘Air
Quality in Kitchener 2010’ report, which builds upon the success of the 2006 document. This
updated Report contains additional short and long-term Recommended Actions, and are the
basis of the Environmental Committee’s Five Best Bets for 2012, as outlined herein.
REPORT:
At the May 17, 2012 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed the 50+
Recommended Actions outlined in the Air Quality in Kitchener (2010) report. Based on that
review, the Committee has selected the recommended Five Best Bets for 2012.
Subject to Council’s approval of the annual Five Best Bets, all affected Departments, Divisions,
and / or staff will be notified and requested to commence their study on each Recommended
Action’s feasibility for implementation. Following this, the affected staff should consider the
advisability and necessary steps, including budget requirements, in implementing the
Recommended Actions. In the Fall 2012, staff will provide an update on their investigation into
each of the Five Best Bets, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Environmental Committee.
Finally, staff will provide a report in the Spring 2013, to the Environmental Committee on the
previous year’s Best Bets.
Each year in May, (just before the next best bets are announced in June) a final report is
prepared by staff and presented to a Standing Committee of Council. In 2010, the Committee
updated the 2006 Air Quality in Kitchener Report and did not select 5 best bets so there is no
final report for that year.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Endorsing the Environmental Committees’ recommended Best Bets for 2012 aligns with the
Strategic Plan by directly supporting the commitment to conserving, protecting and improving
the environment, which has been identified as a Community Priority.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The timing for the annual Five Bests Bets selection was set to permit their public announcement
on Clean Air Day, a day proclaimed by the Government of Canada, and occurring on the first or
second Wednesday of June each year as part of Canadian Environment Week. In 2012, Clean
Air Day is June 6th.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
D. Chapman, Deputy CAO - Finance and Corporate Services
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