HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2013-01-24 - Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets Liaisons (2013 &2014)Date:January 18, 2013
To:Environmental Committee Members
Subject:Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets Liaison (2013 & 2014)
Volunteers complement and support the work of staff accomplishing important tasks that would
not otherwise be done, and support programs that could cease to exist without their
participation.
Volunteers bring a wide variety of skills, knowledge and experience with them, all of which
combine to strengthen the organization. Therefore, the City strives to provide volunteers with
meaningful work that suits their skills and goes beyond mere job shadowing, as well as a
rewarding and challenging community-oriented volunteer experience for all those interested in
the goal of promoting sustainable communities in an urban environment.
In general, an Environmental Committee liaison will:
Serve as a communication link between the Committee and a particular Sub-committee,
Taskforce and/or Working Group;
Provide guidance, support and advice when/where appropriate;
Assist with research, activities, report preparation and correspondence when needed.
If required, they will attend the appropriate Standing Committee meeting to present the
Committee’s recommendation; and,
Maintain a positive working relationship with the other volunteers.
Air Quality in Kitchener
The Air Quality in Kitchener 2010 report sets out a comprehensive plan on air quality as
requested by Council. It makes recommendations for initiatives to improve Kitchener's air
quality.
The Air Quality in Kitchener Plan 2010 plan contains at least fifty actions to improve Kitchener's
air quality. The Air Quality in Kitchener - 2010 proposes both short-term and long-term
recommended actions. Some actions can be undertaken now, such as encouraging energy and
water conservation, improving public awareness and knowledge of air quality issues and
providing businesses with the tools and incentives to make more energy-efficient decisions.
Other initiatives require effort over a number of years, such as investing in more energy-efficient
technologies.
Each year 5 actions also referred to as 'Best Bets' are chosen from the Air Quality in Kitchener
Plan 2010 by the Environmental Committee and ultimately Council for investigation by staff to
be implemented through various departments within the city as well as citizens.
In general, Air Quality liaison(s) will be responsible for the following:
The liaisons will solicit input from the Committee between March and May.
1. In March, the committee will be given instructions in the agenda package as to how each
member is to choose their top 5 Best Bets for air quality;
2. After all members have provided their top 5 Best Bets via email to staff they will be
compiled and a meeting with the liaisons set-up (in April at a mutually convenient time)
so they can review and/or examine the responses;
3. During the meeting the liaisons will narrow down the compiled responses to the overall
top 5 Best Bets and will discusses the feasibility of implementing those Best Bets and
ultimately produce a recommendation for the committee;
4. At the May Environmental Committee meeting, the recommended 5 Best Bets will be
presented for the Committee’s consideration and endorsement.
5. If required the liaisons would present the recommended Best Bets at the next Planning
and Strategic Initiatives Committee; and any recommendation arising from that
Committee would be considered at the next Council meeting;
Once Council approval is given a media release is made announcing the 5 Air Quality in
Kitchener Best Bets in time for Clean Air Day during Canadian Environment Week on June 5,
2013.