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Home My WebLink About2014-06-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. Present: Ms.A. MacDonald,Vice-Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. E. Donaher, Ms. S. Do and Mr. D. Hoshowsky Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner H.Anderson, Environmental Planner N. Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility L. Korabo, Committee Administrator The meeting began without a quorum in attendance. 1. PRESENTATION -MY CLEAN CITY The Committee considered a presentation entitled "My Clean City"dated June 19, 2014. Ms. K. Lovell, My Clean City (MCC), attended to advise that MCC is a national program, targeting youth under the age of 25, with a mission to collaborate with environmentally committed organizations to engage, enable and evaluate youth volunteer actions towards a goal of a sustainable future. Making use of current engagement tools to target tech-savvy and results-driven youth, MCC utilizes an online platform to mobilize young volunteers to take action through challenges with environmental benefits. A related mobile application provides means to monitor volunteer sign up and tracks volunteer activities and hours. The MCC model endeavours to create positive `playful' volunteer opportunities by recruiting virtual team members to take part in volunteer challenges and earning `CleanCreds' which track progress. Recognition of top volunteer`teams' by the organization/group sponsoring the volunteer opportunity is done in the form of recognition certificates and /or small scholarships. Additionally, valuable connections and cross-promotions with other groups allow messaging about the opportunity to spread more quickly. Ms. Lovell listed the benefits for youth who participate in the MCC program as: • Discover environmental resources within community; • Engage with local organizations and mentors; • Unlock opportunities for recognition and reward; • Earn required volunteer hours for high school graduation; • Freedom to choose how,when and where to get involved; • Friendly competition; • Learn to take environmental action • Peer-led program; and, • Realize and quantify their individual impact on the environment. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms. Lovell advised the City could partner with MCC by setting up an account on the platform, then directing local youth to sign up for City sponsored events and challenges. She advised that use of a mobile application provides time- stamped verification of all volunteer hours, which may then be used for the 40 required hours towards high school graduation. Ms. Lovell noted there is a `per participant' licensing fee during the school year which is paid by the sponsoring organization/group; however, for the summer months there is no fee to participate. Finally, she requested the City consider participating during the free period and offering some form of recognition at the end of the summer season. Ms. S. Do entered the meeting. Ms. H. Anderson advised Ms. Lovell the Committee does not meet again until September and due to the lack of a quorum of members, is not in a position to make a recommendation at this time. She did suggest that staff connect Ms. Lovell with Volunteer Services staff to investigate possible short and long term collaborations. The Committee thanked Ms. Lovell for her presentation and concurred with the recommendation to connect with Volunteer Services staff for further investigation of available options. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19, 2014 -12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM UPDATE The Committee considered information material entitled "2014 Best Management Practices Information Guide" and "2014 Credit Program: Manage Stormwater, Save Money". Mr. N. Gollan provided an overview of the stormwater credits offered to residential and non- residential property owners who install or have existing on-site measures to reduce individual contributions of stormwater runoff and pollutant loading to the municipal stormwater system. He advised owners are required to demonstrate controls are functioning properly and are being maintained on a regular basis to remain eligible for any credits. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Gollan reviewed the five best management practices for residential stormwater credits. He advised that both hard copy and online applications are available on the City's website and have been structured to provide an educational opportunity while completing the application process. During 2013, 662 inspections of stormwater installations were completed totalling 17%of all applicants. Mr. Gollan noted a vast majority of installations passed inspection and staff are pleased with the uptake on the residential side of the program. With regard to the non-residential stormwater credit program, approved best management practices retain / detain stormwater on the property (flood reduction) and / or remove sediments and pollutants from stormwater. Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting and a quorum was now in attendance. Mr. Gollan then presented information on two demonstration projects undertaken in 2013 through the RAIN Program. The Committee was advised staff have applied for funding to install an additional demonstration project in the Huron Natural Area,which will assist in raising awareness of the program and allow for statistical monitoring. Mr. Gollan further advised the year-end (2013) results for the Stormwater Credit Program were as follows: 4305 residential applications; 152 non-residential applications: and, an annual operating cost of $500,000. Staff are pleased that the number of residential applications exceeded initial predictions. With regard to the number of non-residential applications, Mr. Gollan noted that actual numbers were significantly below expectations and staff will now turn their attention toward outreach to increase them. 3. DISCUSSION -2006-2014 BEST BETS AUDIT Further to discussions at the Committee's last meeting, Ms. B. Steiner circulated the following documents: Air Quality 2006— Best Bet Audit—Where Are They Now? and Air Quality 2010— Best Bet Audit — Where Are They Now?. Additionally, a summary document of outstanding 2006 Best Bets was provided. Ms. Steiner advised she has continued researching all outstanding Best Bets from both Air Quality reports in an effort to determine if there is a continuing need for a best bet and /or outstanding work which is relevant to the Committee's mandate. It was noted that some of the outstanding 2006 Best Bets were carried forward into the 2010 document. Members of the Committee in attendance participated in a working session to discuss some of the outstanding Best Bets and whether or not it was within the Committee's mandate to pursue them. Members concurred that time and energy should focus on matters under either the Committee's or the municipality's jurisdiction with possible actions being identified for the future work of the Committee, in lieu of producing another Air Quality Report. Ms. Steiner proposed staff continue their audit of both Air Quality reports, provide some more information to members over the summer months and place this matter on the Committee's September agenda for a full discussion regarding next steps, given the number of members in attendance and the fact the Committee will not meet again until September. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 19, 2014 -13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT(CEIG)APPLICATION Ms. B. Steiner circulated an amended CEIG application form which now includes an option for applicants to attend the Committee's September meeting to present their grant applications. She advised that advertisements inviting the submission of applications will be done in the late summer, noting an application deadline of October 31, 2014. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator