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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Ms. A. McDonald, Vice-Chair Ms. E. Donaher, S. Danckert, S. Do and Messrs. G. Zador and R. Younis Staff: S. Allen, Manager Engineering Design and Approvals B. Sloan, Manager Long Range Planning B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner H. Anderson, Environmental Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (REEP) GREEN SOLUTIONS 2014 1. FUNDING REQUEST The Committee considered a request from Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) Green Solutions, dated September 6, 2012, for a grant in the amount of $27,500. Ms. E. Donaher declared pecuniary interest as she is employed by REEP. Accordingly, she did not take part in discussion or vote on the matter. Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director of REEP, and Mr. Dave Blake, Business Development Manager, reviewed REEP’s achievements in 2012/2013 and their goals for 2014, stating that the grant request of $27,500. would represent the City of Kitchener’s contribution to REEP’s 2014 core operating budget. Ms. Patterson stated that REEP continues to work towards healthier homes and sustainable communities, with a mandate to go beyond home energy evaluations into a broader environmental programming based on community needs. Mr. Blake noted that REEP is engaged in the following programs: REEP House for Sustainable Living; ClimateAction WR plan; RAIN: an ecological approach to stormwater management; Home Energy Efficiency; REEP Corporate Partnership Program to help employees of organizations live more sustainably; and, the Home Assistance Program geared towards energy poverty and electricity conservation. The Committee was advised that, as the Federal and Provincial financial incentives for home energy retrofits has been eliminated, REEP is examining Community Scale Retrofits (CSRs) and Local Improvement Charge (LIC) financing. Ms. Patterson elaborated on the programs, indicating that the twin programs of CSR & LIC would motivate residents to upgrade their homes on a neighbourhood-wide basis with low-cost financing available through Local Improvement Charges. She noted that REEP is examining the launch of a pilot program in 2014 with other local area municipalities. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - it was resolved: "That subject to the 2014 budget deliberations, $27,500., be allocated to the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the Environmental Committee’s 2014 operating budget." INS-13-085 - KOLB CREEK CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2. The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-13-085, dated September 5, 2013 regarding the preferred alternative for alleviating local flooding issues on a portion of Kolb Creek extending from Matthew Street to the existing Stormwater Management (SWM) facility east of Manchester Road. Mr. S. Allen presented the Report, advising that the primary objective of the Environmental Assessment (EA) is to determine a preferred alternative to alleviate local flooding issues in the identified EA on a portion of Kolb Creek. He indicated that the Study will also evaluate the opportunities to retrofit an existing SWM facility within Forfar Park to improve water quality within Kolb Creek.He highlighted the six alternatives identified within the EA process, including: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER INS-13-085 - KOLB CREEK CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (CONT’D) 2 . Option 1, To do nothing; Option 2, Overflow sewer along Rothsay Avenue. This option involves the diversion of flows to be conveyed along the North side of Rothsay Avenue within a subsurface circular pipe or box culvert approximately 300m in length. A new outlet would be required upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. All works are to be completed within City lands; Option 3, Increase existing capacity. This option would involve increasing the existing stream capacity through replacement of the Rothsay Avenue culvert, ‘boring and jacking’ beneath 1263-1271 Victoria Street North building to widen the culvert, construction of a new wider crossing along Natchez Road and increasing channel width east of the Natchez Road crossing to upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. Acquisition of one private property and removal of one existing building is required. Works required on private property and City lands; Option 4, Reroute stream along Rothsay Avenue. This option would involve the realignment of Kolb Creek adjacent to Rothsay Avenue by extending the downstream easement along Rothsay Avenue, up to and including the replacement of the Rothsay Avenue culvert. Acquisition of two private properties and a portion of one property which fronts Rothsay Avenue would be required; Option 5, Reroute stream between buildings. This option would involve the realignment of Kolb Creek along Rothsay Avenue between existing buildings. Acquisition of one private property and a portion of one property which fronts Rothsay Avenue would be required, as well as the removal of two existing buildings and the establishment of a new outlet to the existing storm sewer; and, Option 6, Reroute the stream within sub-surface sewer along Rothsay Avenue. This would involve the diversion of all flows along the north side of Rothsay Avenue, with installation of a new outlet upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. He noted the apparent complications associated with this option; an existing 600mm storm pipe would require relocation; and, approvals from the Grand River Conservation Authority and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) may be difficult, due to the loss of open channel. In response to questions, Mr. Allen indicated that all criteria were weighted equally for evaluation purposes. He explained that the categories of social/cultural; technical/engineering; natural/physical environment; and, economic considerations and received equal consideration. He noted that private property acquisition is within the social/cultural category and did have influence in the evaluation process toward determining the preferred alternative to alleviate flooding issues in the study area. He stated that staff met with property owners, who would be affected by the implementation of alternatives 4 or 5, and were met with opposition. He explained that the preferred alternative, Option 2, significantly decreases flooding of Kolb Creek and allows the open channel to be preserved. Mr. Allen then referred to the Stormwater Management Pond (Pond 6) retrofit, in Forfar Park, stating that the project is in synergy with the Kolb Drain EA in that it improves water quality. In response to further questions, Mr. Allen confirmed that positive feedback was received during the Public Information Centres (PICs) and no opposition was expressed regarding the preferred alternative. He elaborated that Option 2 limits the impact of construction to Rothsay Avenue and Forfar Park and did not generate opposition during the PICs. Committee members generally expressed support for the preferred alternative, Option 2 and the retrofit of the SWM facility, as the acquisition of properties would not be necessary, and the flooding issues would be alleviated, thereby meeting the objectives set out in the Environmental Assessment. Mr. Allen advised that a staff report recommending the preferred alternative would be submitted for consideration by the Community & Infrastructure Services Committee on September 30, 2013. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER ASSIGNMENT OF 2013/2014 WORK PLAN SUB-COMMITTEES 3. Ms. B. Steiner advised that Members are being asked to volunteer for the various Sub- Committees required to carry out the work in the Committee’s approved Work Plan. She advised that this item has been brought forward from the June 20, 2013 meeting, during which several members were not in attendance. It was noted that a maximum of 4 members are permitted on a Sub-Committee. The following additions to the Sub-Committees were made: Best Bet No. 1 and 3 – Adriane MacDonald; Sophia Do Best Bet No. 2 – Sophie Do Best Bet No. 4 – Adriane MacDonald CEIG – Adriane MacDonald It was suggested, and Ms. Steiner agreed, to send a facilitative email to members who have not volunteered to participate on any Sub-Committees. With regard to Community Environmental Improvement Grants, Ms. Steiner indicated that the deadline for applications has been extended to October 27, 2013. Ms. S. Danckert referred to the past collaborative efforts of the Sustainability Forum Sub- Committee and indicated that a follow-up event is being hosted by the Green Rocket. The event is being held on September 26, 2013 in the Rotunda at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. D. Livingstone Committee Administrator