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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-21 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 21, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. S. Crossman, Chair Councillors P. Singh and Y. Fernandes, Messrs. A. Khalil, G. Zador and D. Hoshowsky, Ms. M. Baharloo, Ms. H. Awad, Ms. C. Huxted, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. A. MacDonald, Ms. E. Donaher, Ms. S. Do, and Ms. L. Rice. Staff: C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner J. Ouellette, Facilitator of Volunteer Resources S. Weare, Strategic Planning Associate D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator PRESENTATION - OVERVIEW OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN 1. The Committee was in receipt this date of “A Plan for Healthy Kitchener: The City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2014”, and the 2011 Citizen’s Report Card prepared by Compass Kitchener. Ms. S. Weare gave a presentation on the Strategic Plan, advising that the Plan is a comprehensive strategy that guides the City’s allocation of resources with the community’s priorities and vision for the future. She stated that the community priorities were obtained through an extensive consultant-led engagement process, which produced a 20-year ‘Plan for a Healthy Kitchener – 2007-2027’. She advised that the Strategic Plan is revisited with every new term of Council, through the use of community engagement tools; such as, feedback and input gathered from each of the City’s advisory committees. She indicated that Compass Kitchener is mandated to oversee the development of revised community priorities every four years. She provided an overview of the Strategic Plan, advising that there are six community priorities, each with its own vision and strategic directions; which are: Quality of Life; Leadership and Community Engagement; Environment; Diversity; Development; and, Dynamic Downtown. She then posed the question of where the work of the Environmental Committee fits into the priorities of the Strategic Plan. Ms. Weare introduced Compass Kitchener members, Diana Bumstead and Tristan Wilkin, who indicated they are in the process of seeking feedback from the advisory committees regarding the impacts of the Plan on the community. They then asked members to indicate how Compass Kitchener could better engage the Environmental Committee in the development of the next Strategic Plan. Members indicated that it would be desirable to have a representative from the Environmental Committee sit on the steering committee for the Strategic Plan. Ms. H. Awad suggested having the draft documents or developing papers circulated to the Committee for feedback. With regard to the Annual Report Card, Ms. Weare advised that Compass Kitchener would be returning to the Environmental Committee to discuss methods for consultation and feedback on the reporting process. She stated that there will not be a report card in 2013, as the process is being revisited to ensure more comprehensive reporting. PRESENTATION - CITY WIDE EARTH DAY EVENTS 2. Ms. J. Ouellette gave a presentation outlining the following as the City of Kitchener’s 2013 Earth Day events, and gave a brief summary of their overall goals and objectives: Earth Hour; 20 Minute Makeover; Tim Hortons Community Litter Pick-up; Community Organized Litter Pick-ups; School Yard Clean-ups PLUS Huron Natural Area Earth Day Celebration Environmental Sustainability Forum; and, Bloomin’ Earth Eco-Fair ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 21, 2013 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION - CITY WIDE EARTH DAY EVENTS (CONT’D) 2. Ms. Ouellette advised that free bus transportation will be available on Saturday, April 20, 2013 for Earth Day event participants. She indicated that shuttle service would be provided between Kitchener City Hall and the Tim Horton’s Community Clean-up Event at McLennan Park during the morning, and the Kitchener Natural Areas Program event at the Huron Natural Area in the afternoon. Ms. Oulette concluded by encouraging anyone interested in taking part in Kitchener’s Earth Day events to register as a participant on the City’s website at http:// www.kitchener.ca/earthday. She suggested that all members of the Committee could volunteer or plan their own Earth Day event. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA) 3. - CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING The Committee was in receipt this date of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Customer Service Training brochure prepared by the City of Kitchener. Ms. J. Ouellette reviewed the requirements under the AODA for volunteers. She advised that that should members have any concerns or questions related to the material, or in specific circumstance related to their role on the Committee, they could ask staff for clarification. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 2013-2014 WORK PLAN 4. - IDENTIFICATION OF COMMITTEE PRIORITIES Ms. C. Musselman advised that the Environmental Committee, with the assistance of Planning staff, are required to develop and implement a work plan for the coming term. Accordingly, at the February 21, 2013 meeting, members were requested to provide suggestions on the types of things that they would like to see the Environmental Committee accomplish in the coming term. She stated that staff will incorporate those suggestions received to date and develop a draft Work Plan based on the Committee’s existing goals, objectives and priorities, as well as the goals, objectives and priorities identified by the City’s Planning Division. She then indicated that although there is no deadline to bring the Work Plan before Council for consideration, it would be desirable to bring it forward before the July recess. EARTH DAY SHOWCASE SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE 5. Councillor Y. Fernandes provided an update on behalf of the Earth Day Showcase Sub- Committee which has collaborated to develop an event entitled ‘The Sustainability Forum’. She advised that the event will be held in the Rotunda in City Hall, with a formalized networking opportunity taking place in the morning, followed by a facilitated discussion and a group workshop in the afternoon. . 5 BEST BETS SELECTION FOR 2013 - INSTRUCTIONS 6 The Committee was in receipt this date of an overview of the 5 Best Bets Selection Process, requesting that each member submit their picks for this year’s Air Quality in Kitchener Plan – 5 Best Bets. Ms. C. Musselman advised that the Best Bets Sub- Committee will be meeting on March 26, 2013 and requires the Best Bet selections from each member in preparation of determining the top 5 best bets for 2013. Members expressed interest in updating the criteria in the Air Quality in Kitchener Plan 2010 report which is used for selecting the annual best bets. Ms. Musselman indicated that the process for reviewing the criteria can be included in the Work Plan, with the intention of providing a recommendation for Council consideration in 2013. OPEN AIR BURNING 7. Mr. G. Zador addressed the Committee regarding the lack of consultation with ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 21, 2013 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER OPEN AIR BURNING (CONT’D) 7. the Environmental Committee on the issue of open air burning. Councillor P. Singh responded that although open air burning has environmental aspects, the open air burning by-law was brought before Council for enforcement reasons and has since been passed. He stated that the item was addressed during several Standing Committee and Council meetings; at which time, further restrictions were imposed on open air burning. He indicated that should the open air by-law be reviewed in the future, he will suggest that the Environmental Committee be engaged in order to provide input. Ms. H. Awad suggested that the Committee develop a protocol to ensure issues that have an environmental aspect are brought before the Environmental Committee. Councillor Singh responded that it would be a lengthy process to develop such a protocol. Ms. C. Musselman pointed out that items that are identified in the Work Plan represent core priorities and often other items are brought to the Committee in an advisory capacity; such as Environmental Assessments, which require review and a dedicated amount of the Committee’s time. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEE LIASIONS 8. Ms. A. MacDonald volunteered, and it was agreed, that she would be appointed to the Community Environmental Improvement Grant application Sub-Committee. In addition, Ms. H. Awad volunteered, and it was agreed, that she would participate on the Air Quality in Kitchener 5 Best Bet Sub-Committee. STRASBURG ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 9. Ms. C. Musselman encouraged members to attend the Strasburg Road Environmental Assessment Public Information Centre on April 24, 2013 at the Huron Heights Secondary School Auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in advance of the Joint Heritage Kitchener and Environmental Committee meeting on May 7, 2013. ADJOURNMENT 10. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator