HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2012-06-21 - Presentation - Compass Kitchener - LEAF Public ConsultationFor Immediate Release
June 4, 2012
Two public meetings round out community
consultation on future of LEAF program
KITCHENER – The City of Kitchener is seeking feedback from the community on how the
remaining $3 million in the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) should be invested.
LEAF has been a city program for the past five years - providing funding to many successful
green initiatives across the community in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Earlier this year, city council voted in favour of suspending the LEAF fund, pending a review of
the program and a full public consultation.
That public consultation, led by Compass Kitchener – a committee of citizens whose purpose is
to engage the community in developing and achieving a shared vision for the future – is now
underway and will continue through June 25.
Four options have been identified as projects that warrant consideration when it comes to
choosing how to invest the remaining funds:
Proceed with the LEAF program based on its approved mandate.
Allocate all or some of the remaining funds toward the city's efforts to address the effects
of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on local trees.
Allocate all or some of the remaining funds toward several unfunded parks and trails
projects.
Allocate all or some of the remaining funds toward purchasing lands in the Hidden Valley
community.
Residents are also invited to submit other ideas for consideration during the consultation
process.
“Our main objective here is to ensure the dollars that remain in the LEAF program will make a
positive impact on the local environment – one way or another,” said Jeff Willmer, the city’s chief
administrative officer (CAO).
There are several ways citizens can learn more about the options that have been tabled for
consideration - and have a say on how the funds should be allocated:
Review a set of background documents on the four tabled options, which can be found
atwww.kitchener.ca/leafconsultation and then fill out an online survey, which is
accessible on the same web page.
Attend one of two public meetings that have been scheduled to facilitate discussion:
Saturday, June 9, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Stanley Park Community Centre, 505
o
Franklin St. N.
Tuesday, June 12, 5 to 7 p.m., Kitchener Market, 300 King St. E.
o
ï ó ï
The Kitchener Youth Action Council hosted a meeting last week, seeking opinions from local
youth on how the remaining funds should be invested. Compass Kitchener also met with local
advisory committees and boards to get their views.
Compass Kitchener will be analyzing all of the public feedback over the summer, and
developing a recommendation for city council to consider this fall.
-30-
For more information:
Andrea Bailey
Interim Manager of Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
(519) 741-2458
andrea.bailey@kitchener.ca
ï ó î