HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-13-028 - Appointment - Environmental Committee
REPORT TO:
Mayor C. Zehr and Members of Council
DATE OF MEETING:
March 4, 2013
SUBMITTED BY: Environmental Committee
PREPARED BY:
Colin Goodeve, Supervisor, Legislated Services (ext. 7278)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
February 22, 2013
REPORT NO.: FCS-13-028
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION:
That notwithstanding Section 3.1 of Council Policy I-100 (Environmental Committee -
Terms of Reference) restricting the number of community at large members, Stacey
Danckert, be appointed to the Environmental Committee for a term expiring November
30, 2014.
BACKGROUND:
Section 3.1 of Council Policy I-100 (Environmental Committee - Terms of Reference) sets out
that the Committee shall be comprised of 10 to 11 members of the public appointed by Council.
At the November 19, 2012 special Council meeting, 13 community at large members were
appointed to the Environmental Committee along with two members of Council for a term
expiring November 30, 2014.
REPORT:
The subject application, while submitted by Stacey Danckert during the recruitment process,
was not received by staff; and therefore, did not get considered during last November’s advisory
committee appointments. Staff became aware of this matter just prior to the start of the January
24, 2013 Environmental Committee meeting, which Ms. Danckert attended. During that
meeting, it was suggested that given Ms. Danckert’s past performance and experience with the
Committee that she should be nominated for the position of Committee Chair. Staff duly
advised that as Ms. Danckert was not appointed as a member she could not fill that role; and,
the Committee expressed an interest in having her re-appointed as a member. Accordingly, Ms.
Danckert was requested to re-submit her application, copies of which have been circulated
under separate cover to all members of Council in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Section 3.3 of Council Policy I-100 states that appointments to the Environmental Committee
shall be based on an applicant’s demonstrated interest and participation in environmental
matters, academic qualification, work experience, knowledge and professional expertise.
During her previous term on the Environmental Committee, Ms. Danckert established herself as
a valued member and only missed two meetings during those two years. In addition, she was
2 - 1
actively involved with various projects, including the sub-committee tasked with evaluating the
Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) applications. She was also the Green
Party of Ontario’s candidate for the September 6, 2012 Kitchener-Waterloo By-Election.
An exemption to Council Policy I-100 would need to be granted to facilitate Ms. Danckert’s
appointment as it would increase the Committee’s complement of community at large members
to 14; which is three more than what is specified in the Terms of Reference. For comparison,
the Terms of Reference for Compass Kitchener calls for a maximum of 12 community at large
th
members; however, 14 people were appointed to that Committee at the November 19 meeting.
In addition, there are currently 20 members on the Economic Development Advisory Committee
and 18 members on the Downtown Action & Advisory Committee. Accordingly, there is
precedent for increasing the number of members on an advisory committee beyond what is
stipulated in its terms of reference.
Ms. Danckert’s application was considered at the February 21, 2013 Environmental Committee
meeting. At that time, the Committee supported her re-appointment and endorsed the
recommendation contained herein. Approval of said recommendation at the March 4, 2013
Council meeting would enable Ms. Danckert to participate as a member at the March 21, 2013
Environmental Committee meeting.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Citizen appointments to advisory committees relate to the Leadership and Community
Engagement Priority of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan. Appointments to the Environmental
Committee demonstrate the City’s commitment to conserve, protect and improve the
environment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications associated with Ms. Danckert’s re-appointment to the
Environmental Committee.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
At both the January 24, 2013 and February 21, 2013 Environmental Committee meetings,
several members expressed strong support for Ms. Danckert’s re-appointment.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO - Finance & Corporate Services
Department
2 - 2