HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:08 p.m.
Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair
Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. E. Donaher, Ms.A. MacDonald and Ms. K. Milicic
Staff: B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range Planning
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
H.Anderson, Environmental Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER
On behalf of the Committee, Ms. S. Danckert welcomed Ms. K. Milicic who was recently
appointed to the Environmental Committee.
2. EARTH DAY 2014 SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
Councillor Y. Fernandes volunteered, and it was agreed, she would be appointed as
Committee Liaison for the Earth Day 2014 Organizing Committee.
3. BEST BET 4-SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Ms. S. Danckert advised that, at the November 14, 2013 Environmental Committee meeting,
Mr. B. Sloan was in attendance to discuss the Committee's role in completing the 2013 Best
Bets for Air Quality. She noted he requested that the Sub-Committee assigned to Best Bet 4,
undertake a review of the Green Energy Development Standards, as outlined in the City's new
Official Plan; and, put forward a recommendation to endorse the Green Energy Development
Standards to complete Best Bet 4. She further advised that the Committee's endorsement
would be included when staff report back to Council on the adoption of the new Official Plan.
Ms. Danckert advised that the Sub-Committee has reviewed the Green Energy Development
Standards and are in agreement that endorsing the Standards meet the intention of Best Bet 4.
She stated the Sub-Committee is recommending that the Committee endorse in principal
Section 6.c.6 of the City of Kitchener (May) Draft of the Official Plan (Energy Conservation and
Generation), and would reinforce the Committee's support for the City's commitment made to
the Community Climate Action Plan and Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction (GHG)
Initiatives.
On motion by E. Donaher-
it was resolved:
"That Section 6.c.6. of the City of Kitchener (May) Draft of the Official Plan (Energy
Conservation and Generation) be endorsed in principle; and further,
That the policies contained in the Draft Official Plan reinforce the City commitment to the
Community Climate Action Plan and Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction (GHG)
Initiatives."
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IMPLEMENTATION: 2013 REPORT
CARD/WEBPAGE UPDATE
The Committee considered a report entitled "Strategic Plan for the Environment 2013
Implementation: Report Card/Webpage Update", dated February 6, 2014 regarding initiatives
to implement Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment.
Mr. B. Sloan and Ms. B. Steiner addressed the Committee, providing an introduction and
explanation of the draft webpage for Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment and 2013
report card, outlining the progress of the implementation the Strategic Plan. Ms. Steiner
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. She
noted this evaluation, along with hyperlinks to many of the related initiatives,would be included
on the new webpage.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2014 -2 - CITY OF KITCHENER
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IMPLEMENTATION: 2013 REPORT
CARD/WEBPAGE UPDATE (CONT'D)
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
Ms. Steiner referred to the status arrow on the webpage for the Natural Heritage System and
Recreational Amenity Areas theme, which indicates more work is required in the areas of
monitoring and managing Kitchener's natural areas. She further advised the Natural Lands
Acquisition Policy and Program should be completed to best protect the Natural Heritage
System in public ownership.
Ms. S. Danckert questioned whether feedback would be requested from the Committee when
the City is considering the various natural area lands for acquisition. Ms. Steiner advised the
Natural Land Acquisition Program is a responsibility of the City's Operations Division, and they
should request time on the agenda when they are undertaking a review of the natural areas
they are considering acquiring.
Water Resources
Mr. Sloan advised that the arrow indicates the City is progressing, noting that the restoration of
Kitchener's streams and valleylands continued through 2013, with environmental assessments
and designs for enhancement or restoration of Kolb Creek and the stream system through
Filsinger Park nearing completion. In addition, he stated the education of citizens with respect
to stormwater continued in 2013 with the RAIN program.
In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised the Region of Waterloo promotes a program
entitled "Smart about Salt: Winter Salt Management Program" which educates the public on
best management practises so road salt is only used when needed.
Air Quality
Ms. Steiner commented on the development level of the Air Quality theme, which is depicted
by an arrow indicating "progressing well". She noted that in 2013, the City of Kitchener,
through the Climate Collaborative, completed Milestones 1, 2 and 3 of the Partners for Climate
Protection (PCP) program for Community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. She further
advised action will continue in 2014 on Corporate target setting and action plans.
Land Resource and Growth Management
Mr. Sloan advised that the arrow indicates the City is "progressing well" in the theme of Land
Resource and Growth Management and noted there are a number of challenges pertaining to
growth related pressures. He stated that at present, Kitchener is contributing to Provincial and
Regional growth management targets faster than expected (the "intensification level"was 58%
in 2013). He indicated an updated Kitchener Growth Management Plan (KGMP) Fall 2013 -
Fall 2015+ was approved by Council Resolution on October 7, 2013, noting this document will
help to further guide development and growth. Ms. Steiner further advised there has been a
noticeable increase in intensification and re-development in the City's built-up areas.
Councillor Y. Fernandes suggested consideration should be given to reducing the status for
land resource and growth management from "progressing well" to "progressing". Following a
discussion on the rationale for using "progressing well", the Committee came to a consensus
and agreed that the arrow should continue to reflect "progressing well" for the land resource
and growth management theme.
Energy Systems
Ms. Steiner commented on the development level of the Energy Systems, which is depicted by
an arrow indicating "progressing well". She stated that at the Corporate level in 2013, the City
completed its Corporate GHG inventory to achieve Milestone 1 of the Federal Partners for
Climate Protection (PCP) program. In addition, she stated that, in 2013 the City achieved
GHG inventories (PCP Milestone 1), emissions reduction target setting (PCP Milestone 2) and
a local community action plan (PCP Milestone 3) at a community level, which were completed
and endorsed by Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 2014 -3 - CITY OF KITCHENER
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IMPLEMENTATION: 2013 REPORT
CARD/WEBPAGE UPDATE (CONT'D)
Resource Consumption and Waste Management
Ms. Steiner advised the City is progressing well in this area, although waste management falls
primarily under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo.
Environmental Education and Public Awareness
Ms. Steiner advised that while the City is making progress in this theme, the arrow is not as
high as it could be, adding greater effort is required to promote initiatives related to
environmental education and create further public awareness for this theme.
In addition, several members expressed concerns for the use of the arrows on the website as a
quantitative measure for the City's progress in the various themes for the Kitchener Strategic
Plan for the Environment. Mr. Sloan advised the use of arrows is an attempt to provide a
visual representation on the status of the work undertaken by the City in the seven themes of
the Strategic Plan. He agreed the arrows may not be the most effective method for
demonstrating the status of the work currently being undertaken, and encouraged members to
consider other visual representations and provide their suggestions to staff prior to November
2014,when staff will begin reviewing the website content again for 2014.
5. 2013 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) PROGRAM
REVIEW
The Committee was in receipt of correspondence containing the Council Policy I-590 (Grant
Program— Community Environmental Improvement) and the Committee's December 19, 2013
meeting regarding potential revisions to the Community Environmental Improvement Grant
(CEIG) program/application process.
Ms. Steiner advised that at the Committee's December 19, 2013 meeting, a discussion ensued
regarding the potential amendment to the CEIG application process and whether applicants for
the CEIG would be permitted the opportunity to make presentations to either the CEIG Sub-
Committee or the Committee of the Whole. It was suggested at that meeting that the
discussion to determine whether a review of the program was required, be deferred to a future
meeting to allow for the remaining members of the CEIG Sub-Committee to be in attendance.
She stated time has been set aside at this meeting to discuss the program and whether the
2014 CEIG program should be amended to allow for applicants to make presentations. She
further advised she does not believe the Terms of Reference need to be revised to permit
presentations; rather, it would be a change in the current administrative process for the grants,
and it is up to the Committee's discretion as to whether they would like to offer the opportunity
for applicants to be invited to a Committee meeting.
In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised staff would undertake a review of the
applications and remove any of the applications that do not meet the eligibility requirement
prior to inviting the applicants to attend a Committee meeting to make a presentation.
In response to suggestions, Ms. Steiner advised the 2014 CEIG application could be amended
to include information inviting applicants to present their application at a Committee meeting to
be determined, with a statement advising applicants that presentations are not a requirement
for eligibility. At the request of Ms. A. MacDonald, staff agreed to circulate the revised
application to the Committee for feedback prior to advertising the 2014 grant application.
The Committee agreed to amend the current business practice to invite the 2014 CEIG
applicants to attend a Committee meeting to present their application. It was further agreed
the Committee would review the grant processing procedures again for 2015.
6. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator