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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Crossman, Chair Councillors Y. Fernandes, D. Glenn-Graham, B. Vrbanovic, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. C. Huxted, Messrs. D. Hoshowsky and G. Zador. Staff: C. Goodeve, Supervisor of Legislative Services B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (REEP) GREEN SOLUTIONS 2013 1. FUNDING REQUEST The Committee considered a request from Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) Green Solutions, dated September 6, 2012, for a grant in the amount of $27,500., and the REEP Green Solutions 2011 Annual Report. Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, REEP, gave a presentation reviewing REEP’s achievements in 2011/2012 and their goals for 2013. She outlined that REEP continues to work toward healthier homes and sustainable communities, with a mandate to go beyond home energy evaluations into a broader environmental programming based on community need. She reviewed the various programs that REEP is currently engaged in. She advised that with the City’s continued support, REEP has been able to provide home energy audits from 1999 to 2012, benefiting homeowners by: saving money on their energy bills; increasing home health and comfort; reducing their environmental impacts; and, increasing the value of their homes. The benefits to the community equals: a reduction of 21,942 tonnes of CO2 emissions; $5.4 million in energy savings; $13.7 million in grants received; and, $37.5 million in local spending. The Committee was advised by Mr. Andrew Marshall, Manager of REEP’s Rain Program, that the RAIN Program has been very effective in stormwater management. He stated the RAIN program aims to provide practical solutions to help people reduce the quantity and increase the quality of the water that flows from their properties. He indicated 120 rain barrels were sold through an effective outreach program. The outreach program increased from 300 door-to- door inquiries to 500 in 2012. He noted that through partnership with the City of Kitchener, residents can qualify for stormwater utility credits. Training workshops are held by REEP on how to best manage the rain that falls on one’s property while qualifying for stormwater utility credits, as well as training programs for professionals to install stormwater utility credit eligible activities. Ms. Patterson referenced the REEP House for Sustainable living which won the 2011 Ontario Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The project was funded in part, from the City of Kitchener’s LEAF Program. She indicated that the House gives residents of Waterloo Region access to free advice through a Certified Energy Advisor on improving home comfort and energy efficiency. It was noted in 2011, the house received over 1000 visitors. Ms. Priyanka Lloyd, Development Manager, REEP, provided an overview of the retrofit programs, which has provided 12,000 home evaluations with $8M being saved by home owners. She added the retrofit program is changing to a neighbourhood/community focus. The objective is to achieve higher efficiency improvements through neighbourhood and community retrofitting rather than the focus individual homes. She indicated that PAPER Financing may be an option moving forward and elaborated that the provincial government allows LIC’s to be used for energy retrofit. PAPER financing is a municipal loan program that is transferable with the sale of the property and payable on the property tax bill. She commented that although this program has not been initiated in Kitchener, REEP would like to bring this matter before Council sometime in the near future. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - it was resolved: "That subject to the 2013 budget deliberations, $27,500., be allocated to the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the Environmental Committee’s 2013 operating budget." ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER STRASBURG ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT - SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE 2. The Committee was provided with an update by Councillor Y. Fernandes on the status of the Sub-committee’s evaluation of the Strasburg Road Environmental Assessment (EA). Councillor Fernandes advised that September 26, 2012 is the final day for submission of public comments on the EA. She added that an additional material, such as the wildlife report, is intended to be posted to the City’s website for review. Accordingly, staff has been asked to provide an additional three weeks to accommodate the review of these materials and submit comments. Ms. C. Huxted expressed concerns regarding the Strasburg Road extension being constructed through the northern forested area. She indicated that she could not recall this area being examined as a part of the subject EA and is unaware of any environmental assessment or investigation into the conditions of those lands. Councillor Fernandes confirmed this area is a Provincially Significant Wetland and agreed it should be reviewed as a part of the EA. Councillor Fernandes suggested that Mr. B. Korah, Manager of Development Engineering should be invited to attend the October 18, 2012 Environmental Committee to receive comments and provide an update on the EA. Ms. C. Musselman put forward that the Strasburg Road EA Sub-committee should compile their comments ahead of the October meeting, in order to facilitate discussion and to ensure that the desired information is presented by Mr. Korah. GENERAL DISCUSSION - EMERALD ASH BORER - WINTER 2012 UPDATE 3. Ms. C. Musselman advised that there is a dedicated link and webpage to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the City of Kitchener’s website. She added that information has been provided to homeowners in the wards where EAB has been identified. The importance of having affected ash trees treated with injection early in the process was discussed. Ms. C. Huxted affirmed the effectiveness of injection the importance of inspection and to correctly identify EAB by a licensed and certified arborist. ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator