HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-15 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 15, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:06 p.m.
Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair
Councillors Y. Fernandes, Ms. E. Donaher, Ms. K Milicic and Mr. D. Hoshowsky
Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
H.Anderson, Environmental Planner
J. Shea, Natural Area Coordinator
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1. PRESENTATION -LAKESIDE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Committee considered a presentation entitled "Community Workshop, Lakeside Park:
Environmental Management Plan" dated November 5, 2013 regarding an overview on the
Environmental Management Plan for Lakeside Park and work completed to date on the Plan.
Mr. J. Shea presented an overview of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) process
and the work that has been completed to date, highlighting the six step process, including:
project initiation; data gathering and public consultation; assessment & inventory; preparation
of a draft Plan, public review of the draft Plan; and, creating the Final Management Plan. He
stated as part the Plan development, staff have researched the history of the watershed and
park, evaluated the current condition which is a diverse, accessible ecosystem; and, identified
potential issues regarding environmental quality and management going forward. Mr. Shea
indicated that through the EMP process, staff have identified a number of goals and targets for
the development of an Action Plan for the overall management of the Park. He further advised
that staff are currently conducting public review of the EMP,with the final draft to be completed
in July 2014. He noted that staff anticipate implementation of the Action Plan to take place in
September 2014.
In addition, Mr. Shea stated that this is the first EMP that the City has undertaken and staff
welcome feedback on the Plan for Lakeside Park as well as any other parks within the City. He
indicated that the initial selection of Lakeside Park is a result of community engagement within
the surrounding neighbourhood, noting that public engagement is a contributing factor for the
overall success in achieving the management goals of the EMP.
In response to questions, Mr. Shea advised that staff will be hosting a public open house on
the EMP for Lakeside Park and advised that anyone having an interest in the EMP is welcome
to attend. He noted that the public open house will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2014h, at
6:30pm, at the Forest Heights Community Centre.
Mr. Shea commented that staff are in the initial stages of the EMP process at Homer Watson
Park, which is currently being inventoried. He noted that staff are endeavouring to complete
two EMP's per year.
At the suggestion of Ms. S. Dankert, staff agreed to dialogue with the Coordinator of Festival of
Neighbourhoods as a means of identifying parks that have active neighbourhood communities
as a means of prioritizing which parks will see the greatest successes from the completion of
an EMP due to the neighbourhood engagement.
2. 2014 BEST BETS AUDIT
The Committee was in receipt this date of draft information materials entitled `Air Quality 2006
& 2010 - Best Bet Audit - Where are they now?', summarizing an initial draft audit of the Best
Bets from the 2006 and 2010 Citizens for Air Quality in Kitchener reports. Ms. B. Steiner and
Ms. H.Anderson presented an overview of the information materials.
Ms. Anderson stated that there are two charts; each chart includes the recommendations
contained within the 2006 and 2010 Air Quality in Kitchener reports. She indicated that the
charts outline if the recommendations were selected, any relevant project/plan/policy/report
that are associated with the various recommendations; and, whether one Best Bet is similar to
another Best Bet found in the preceding Report. She further advised that additional work is
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 15, 2014 -10 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. 2014 BEST BETS AUDIT(CONT'D)
required to define the status of the Best Bets and whether they are completed, ongoing or
delayed/postponed.
Ms. Steiner requested that members review the draft charts and provide feedback on any of
the recommendations, noting that time will be set aside at the June meeting to further discuss
the Best Bets and the status of the Air Quality in Kitchener Report.
Ms. Anderson advised that she would follow up by email with a copy of the Best Bet audit
documents to ensure those members unable the meeting this date would be familiar with the
documentation for the June discussion.
3. YOUR KITCHENER,YOUR SAY
Councillor Y. Fernandes encouraged the Committee to participate in `Your Kitchener, Your
Say'. She stated that there are various ways for members to participate, including surveys,
workbooks, open houses,workshops and online forums. She noted that any feedback received
will help define what is important to residents and help to set goals for the future. She further
advised that additional information can be obtained from the City's website at:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Your-Kitchener-Your-Say.asp.
4. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator