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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-15ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Crossman, Chair Councillor D. Glenn-Graham, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. C. Huxted, and Messrs. P. Dowling, D. Hoshowsky, R. Younis and G. Zador Staff: B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range Planning C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION: 2012 SYNOPSIS 1. Mr. B. Sloan addressed the Committee, providing an introduction and explanation of the draft webpage for Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment and 2012 report card, on the progress of implementing the Strategic Plan. He advised that Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment has seven themes and primary objectives, which with input from the Environmental Committee, are evaluated annually. He noted that this evaluation, along with hyperlinks to many of the related initiatives, would be included on the new webpage. The Committee then provided the following input and comments on the progress of each theme, as well as the manner in which each theme could be displayed on the webpage: Natural Heritage System and Recreational Amenity Areas Mr. Sloan referred to the status arrow on the webpage for the Natural Heritage System and Recreational Amenity Areas theme, which indicates that the City is progressing well in developing and monitoring natural areas. He noted that this is demonstrated by the mapping of the Natural Heritage System completed earlier this year. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham questioned whether the evaluation of this theme produced overly optimistic results. He referred to concerns expressed by the City’s Cycling Advisory Committee with respect to trail connectivity, adding that while this issue may be addressed though the reallocation of LEAF (Local Environmental Action Fund), in his opinion, the status arrow should be lowered to reflect those concerns. He then spoke to some of the challenges that the City is anticipating in the near future; such as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). He noted that if left unchecked, the EAB would have a detrimental impact on the Natural Heritage System. He suggested that residents could be encouraged to participate in measures, such as, the street tree water bag program as a means of improving the status of this theme. With regard to the webpage, Ms. S. Danckert commented that those initiatives which do not include a hyperlink would benefit from a description of the topic or item; thereby providing additional context to the public. She also suggested the use of coloured graphics and charts, to indicate the status of completion. Mr. G. Zador agreed that graphics would be useful for the public to determine what remains to be completed. Water Resources Mr. Sloan commented on the development level of the Water Resources theme, which is depicted by an arrow indicating positive progression. He noted that the positive results partly relate to the water sustainability initiatives enacted by the City. Councillor Glenn-Graham agreed with the results for this theme, commenting that the Salt Management Plan is a forward thinking initiative that reduces the use of road salt to help improve water quality. Air Quality Mr. Sloan advised that the arrow indicates the City is progressing well, noting the Committee’s participation in such areas as the 5 Best Bets for Improving Air Quality. Several members commented that the arrow should be changed from “progressing well” to “progressing”; noting that while having policies related to things, such as anti-idling, are positive in theory they can be difficult to enforce. In addition, it was suggested that to ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2012 - 30- CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION: 2012 SYNOPSIS 1. (CONT’D) improve the status of this theme, the City could further encourage walkable communities, where citizens live in close proximity to their places of work; thereby reducing reliance on vehicular transportation. In reference to the webpage, it was suggested that a dedicated colour scheme should be utilized to better organize the information that was being presented. Mr. Sloan advised that he will be working with the Communications Department to design a coloured graphic associated with each theme. Land Resource and Growth Management Mr. Sloan advised that the arrow indicates the City is “progressing” in the theme of Land Resource and Growth Management and noted a number of challenges pertaining to growth related pressures. He stated that at present, the City is between the level of progressing and progressing well. He noted that the Staff Environmental Working Group compiles and tracks long-term data on this matter, which are used as indicators in the annual growth management monitoring report. Councillor Glenn-Graham provided feedback on the status of this theme, indicating that the City’s initiatives related to infill development and brownfield remediation demonstrate how Kitchener is ahead of other communities with respect to growth management. Mr. Zador suggested having a yearly comparison as part of the webpage to make the public aware of the City’s long-term progress on this theme. Energy Systems Mr. Sloan advised that an arrow has not been used to illustrate the progress of the Energy Systems theme, as the promotion of sustainable energy is difficult to quantify. However, the City has enacted progressive initiatives to educate the public on the benefits of using renewable energy. Ms. Danckert referred to the work being undertaken by the ClimateActionWR to promote sustainable energy; and, to which the City has made financial contributions. Mr. Zador expressed concern regarding the inclusion of links to external websites. Mr. Sloan agreed to discuss this issue with Communications staff, particularly with respect to the impact of providing links to webpages that may be out of date. It was further suggested that for consistency, an arrow should still be included for this theme to illustrate that more information was required. Resource Consumption and Waste Management Mr. Sloan advised that the City is progressing well in this area, although waste management falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo. Ms. Danckert suggested that to further improve the results for this theme, the City could encourage expanded recycling efforts in older apartment complexes. Environmental Education and Public Awareness Mr. Sloan advised that while the City is making progress in this theme, the arrow is not as high as it could be, adding that greater effort is required to promote initiatives related to environmental education and create further public awareness for this theme. Councillor Glen-Graham provided feedback on the theme and commented that the Community Environmental Improvement Grants are an area that would benefit from additional publicity. He suggested involving educators and schools to assist in publicizing the Grant. Ms. C. Huxted pointed out the limited reach of educators in older neighbourhoods where a higher percentage of the population may not be involved with the schools. She suggested placing information on utility or tax bills to expand communication. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2012 - 31- CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION: 2012 SYNOPSIS 1. (CONT’D) In summary, Mr. Sloan reviewed the comments and suggestions put forward by the Committee on the status of the seven themes and the proposed Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment webpage. He noted that staff would take this feedback into consideration when developing the 2013 action items for each theme, as well as the measures that would be to implemented as part of the new webpage. CSD-12-148 - 2012 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) 2. SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-12-148, dated November 1, 2012, outlining the applications being recommended by the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee to receive grant funding in 2012. Ms. C. Musselman reviewed the Sub-Committee’s recommendation, which proposes that a total of $3,000. be allocated to one of the two CEIG applicants. She advised that it is also being recommended that of the remaining $22,133.51. in the CEIG account, $1,750. be allocated to assist with costs related to the development of commemorative signage identifying the City’s contribution to the project as well as future advertising costs. She noted that the remaining $20,383.51. is proposed to be applied toward the 2013 CEIG program. Ms. S. Danckert spoke on behalf of the Sub-Committee, providing the rationale for not awarding the grant to the Children’s Groundwater Festival. She advised that the Festival had received funding in 2010; and therefore, was not eligible based on the grant criteria, which indicates that groups must wait three years before they can re-apply for CEIG funding. Ms. Danckert commented that although funding is not being recommended for 2012; the Children’s Groundwater Festival has been encouraged to re-apply in 2013. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - it was resolved: “That the 2012 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG), to be funded from the Environmental Stewardship Capital Account, be awarded as follows: Three thousand dollars ($3,000) to My Sustainable Canada for the creation of a prototype mobile application that allows consumers to compare appliances based on energy and/or water consumption and carbon emissions; and, That of the remaining $22,133.51 in 2012 CEIG funds, be allocated as follows: One thousand dollars ($1,000) be prorated to assist with costs related to the creation and production of commemorative material identifying the City of Kitchener’s contribution through the CEIG towards projects; and, Seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) be prorated to assist with 2013 advertising costs; and further, The remaining funds ($20,383.51) be prorated for use as part of the 2013 grant program.” CLIMATEACTIONWR TASKFORCE APPOINTMENT 3. The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Ms. Sarah Brown, Project Manager, ClimateActionWR, dated October 23, 2012, inviting members of the Environmental Committee to participate in ClimateActionWR’s taskforces regarding residential energy; industrial, commercial and institutional energy; transportation; and agriculture and rural affairs. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2012 - 32- CITY OF KITCHENER CLIMATEACTIONWR TASKFORCE APPOINTMENT (CONT’D) 3. Ms. C. Musselman advised that this is a reiteration of the invitation Ms. Brown extended at the October 18, 2012 Environmental Committee meeting. She indicated that the role of each Taskforce is to determine ideas that are forwarded to the Steering Committee for consideration as part of the development of an action plan. Ms. Musselman encouraged interested members to contact Ms. Brown, noting that the first meeting of the Taskforces was held on November 14, 2012. REGIONAL UPDATE ON THE STRASBURG ROAD NORTHERN FOREST 4. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE POLICY AREA Ms. C. Musselman provided an update on the Strasburg Road Northern Forest Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area. She advised that Mr. C. Gosselin, Manager, Environmental Planning, Region of Waterloo has confirmed that the northern forested area is currently a protected Core Environmental Feature in the Region’s Official Plan. She suggested that interested members could examine Kitchener’s Natural Heritage System mapping, as it provides greater detail with respect to specific land use designations. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator