HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-18ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Mr. S. Crossman, Chair
Councillors Y. Fernandes, D. Glenn-Graham, B. Vrbanovic, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. C.
Huxted, and Messrs. P. Dowling, D. Hoshowsky, M. Peterson, R. Younis and G. Zador
Staff: M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Infrastructure Services
H. Gross, Director, Asset Management
B. Korah, Manager Development Engineering
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator
CLIMATEACTIONWR - THE CLIMATE COLLABORATIVE STATUS UPDATE
1.
The Committee was in receipt of the ClimateActionWR, Community Engagement &
Communications Strategy overview dated September 2012.
Ms. Sarah Brown, Project Manager, presented a status update on the ClimateActionWR
formerly known as the Climate Collaborative, a local partnership between the Region of
Waterloo, REEP Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region.
Ms. Brown referred to Milestone 1 and advised that a community greenhouse gas inventory
was completed in June 2012. She referenced Milestones 2 and 3 which pertain to the
development of an action plan and set reduction targets through a process of community
engagement activities. Ms. Brown advised that Phase 1 of the community engagement is well
underway with the newly launched interactive website and social media presence. She
indicated that taskforces are being organized in the areas of: residential energy, ICI energy,
transportation, and agricultural and rural affairs. She invited members to consider participating
in a taskforce or referring interested individuals or groups.
Councillor Y. Fernandes inquired as to the funding sources for ClimateActionWR. Ms. Brown
responded that funding is primarily derived from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, theKitchener
andWaterloo Community Foundation, and the Green Municipal Fund. She added that each
local area municipality also contributes funding to cover Milestones 1 to 3.
Councillor Fernandes referred to Milestone 1 and inquired as to the endpoint of the information
gathered. Ms. Brown responded that all of the information gathered is used to develop
Milestone 4 - Implementation of the Action Plan. She acknowledged that the objective of
ClimateActionWR is to enhance existing resources and encourage agencies to collaborate to
reduce emissions.
In reference to participation on a taskforce, Councillor Fernandes pointed out that November is
the last meeting for the current term of the Environmental Committee. Ms. C. Musselman
agreed to place the item on a future Committee meeting agenda.
STRASBURG ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
2.
The Committee was in receipt this date of the Strasburg Road Extension Environmental
Assessment (EA) Sub-Committee report, listing concerns identified to be submitted to City
Engineering Staff, regarding the EA.
Mr. B. Korah was in attendance to receive the Sub-Committee report and provide a status
update on the Strasburg Road EA. He advised that 25 comments have been received from the
public during the review period and indicated the concerns contained within the Sub-
Committee report would be incorporated in to a response prepared by the City’s consultant. He
added that said report is anticipated to be presented to the November 5, 2012 Planning and
Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, with the intention of a final report going forward to a
special Committee meeting on November 27, 2012.
Councillor Fernandes requested feedback on the second comment contained within the Sub-
Committee report, regarding the rationale and traffic impact relative to the road extension.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2012 - 27- CITY OF KITCHENER
STRASBURG ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
2.
(CONT’D)
Mr. Korah responded that the concerns raised by the Sub-Committee would be addressed in
the analysis on November 5, 2012.
Councillor Fernandes referred to the recommendation within the Sub-Committee’s report, and
inquired if the Environmental Committee wished to endorse that recommendation at this time.
Ms. S. Danckert suggested waiting until after the November 5, 2012 presentation, as the
Committee may wish to strengthen their recommendation before going forward.
Ms. C. Huxted noted that the last paragraph of the Sub-Committee report references the
Regional Official Plan, and suggested that it should read the City’s Official Plan. She also
noted that the Natural Heritage Area referred to in the same paragraph should read Natural
Heritage System.
Several members agreed that the Committee should wait until all information has been
obtained, prior to forwarding a recommendation to Council.
Clarification was requested regarding the designation of the Strasburg Wetland PSW, and
whether the Committee could recommend to the Region of Waterloo, designation of the lands
in the north area as an Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA). Councillor B. Vrbanovic
clarified that the Committee does not have the authority to designate, but could recommend to
Council in an advisory capacity. Ms. C. Musselman indicated it was uncertain as to why the
lands were not designated as an ESPA in the Regional Official Plan, and follow up with the
Region of Waterloo on this matter.
2012 AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER BEST BETS - INTERIM UPDATE
3.
The Committee was in receipt of correspondence, dated October 18, 2012, providing an
update on the status of the 2012 Five Best Bets for Air Quality. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed
the circulated correspondence, advising that this is the first of several updates that the
Committee will receive on the 2012 Best Bets.
Ms. S. Danckert inquired as to the impact that Best Bet #1 (the City should continue to
preserve and acquire parklands and natural lands in existing developments) may have had on
the analysis conducted for the implementation of the Parks Strategic Plan. Ms. Musselman
advised that the strategy for acquiring additional dedicated natural areas and parkland is
detailed in the Parks Strategic Plan. She added that mapping of environmental features
identified as part of the Kitchener Natural Heritage System in combination with the Official Plan
improves and builds on the City’s policies for natural protection. She noted that Best Bet #1
contributed to having the gaps in the natural areas / parkland system addressed as a priority.
In reference to 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), several
members expressed concerns regarding idling at red lights. Questions were raised as to
whether it was possible to increase the number of advance green turning signals to reduce
emissions from idling. Ms. Musselman suggested inviting a Transportation Planner to a future
meeting to answer questions regarding methods and procedures for traffic signal timing.
With respect to 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), Ms. C. Musselman suggested to the Committee that they may want to provide
comments back to staff requesting investigation of potential upgrades to street tree planning
program.
Several members confirmed their interest in seeing gator bags become part of the City’s street
tree program. Ms. Danckert suggested the City program could be expanded by making gator
bags available to citizens at a discounted rate. Mr. M. Peterson agreed that the use of gator
bags, at least during the initial growth period of the tree, would be helpful to ensure the tree
thrives by preventing water runoff.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 18, 2012 - 28- CITY OF KITCHENER
2012 AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER BEST BETS - INTERIM UPDATE (CONT’D)
3.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic commented that although expanding the tree planting program is
positive, extensive resources are required toward removing and replacing trees affected by the
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). He added that expanding the tree program may be a challenge
given the forecasted impact that the EAB is estimated to have on the City’s tree inventory.
Mr. Peterson expressed agreement for the comments made by Councillor Vrbanovic, and
suggested that Council should be encouraged to move forward with replacing trees to increase
the tree canopy.
Ms. C. Huxted questioned if Best Bet #3 applies only to City owned property, or if it also related
to private property. She suggested that the Best Bet should be clarified to indicate who is
anticipated to take actions on this matter.
Ms. Musselman agreed to relay the comments raised this date with the appropriate staff,
adding that this should be reflected in the future updates provided to the Committee on the
2012 Best Bests.
2012 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) PROGRAM
4.
APPLICATIONS
The Committee was in receipt of two applications for the 2012 Community Environmental
Improvement Grant (CEIG) program from the following groups: My Sustainable Canada; and,
Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the
applications, advising that the Groundwater Festival previously received CEIG funding in 2010.
Mr. G. Zador expressed concerns that the application submitted by the Waterloo Wellington
Children’s Groundwater Festival appears to indicate that they have already received $1,000.
from the City of Kitchener for their 2013 Festival. He noted that pursuant to the grant’s
eligibility criteria, this could preclude them from receiving additional funding through the CEIG
program.
Ms. Musselman agreed to send the evaluation and scoring spreadsheets to the CEIG Sub-
Committee prior to their meeting on October 26, 2012. She noted that the recommendations
arising from the Sub-Committee are anticipated to be considered at the November 15, 2012
Environmental Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
5.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
D. Livingstone
Committee Administrator