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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. J. Jackson, M. Yaeger, V, Raja and V. Salajan, Ms. E. Donaher, Ms. A. MacKinnon, Ms. C. Gaetani, Ms. T. Driver and Ms. T. Belanger Staff: B. Sloan, Manager of Long Range Planning C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator Prior to commencement a Committee resource storage drive was circulated to all members containing information on: staff resources; Committee structure, mandate and reporting; Terms of Reference; meeting and delegation guidelines; Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards & Advisory Committees; and, Advisory Committee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). In addition, it included the City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment and the 2014 Audit on Air Quality in Kitchener Plan 2010. Members were requested to review the reference material and update any documents throughout the term as requested. WELCOME AND COMMITTEE MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS 1. Ms. B. Steiner welcomed members to the Environmental Committee’s inaugural meeting of the 2015/2016 term. Each member was requested to introduce themselves and state their interest in applying to the Committee. COMMITTEE ORIENTATION - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MANDATE AND 2. CORPORATE VISION Ms. B. Steiner gave a presentation entitled “2015 Environmental Committee Orientation”, and led the Committee in a review of the materials contained in the circulated storage drives, highlighting the following: Green Kitchener document City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment; 2014 Audit of the Air Quality in Kitchener 2006 and 2010 plan; Kitchener Growth Management Strategy; Environmental By-Laws; Environmental Grants; committee structure; and, member responsibilities. Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting at this time. Members were requested to review all of the reference materials provided, noting that they were circulated on the storage drive provided at the beginning of the meeting. PRESENTATION - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES & 3. RELATIONSHIPS Ms. D. Saunderson gave a presentation entitled “Advisory Committee Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships” outlining how advisory committees fit within the overall corporate context of the City of Kitchener. She pointed out that as an Advisory Committee of Council; the Environmental Committee is responsible for promoting the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the environment in a manner consistent with the City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. Members interested in bringing forward items for the Committee’s consideration should ensure it falls within the mandate of the Committee as set out in its Terms of Reference and is within the jurisdiction of the City. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR 4. Ms. D. Saunderson opened the floor to nominations for the position of Committee Chair. Ms. S. Danckert agreed to stand for appointment. No further nominations were forthcoming. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2015 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR (CONT’D) 4. On motion by Ms. E. Donaher - it was resolved: “That Ms. S. Danckert, be appointed Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term expiring December 31, 2016.” Ms. S. Danckert then opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. Ms. C. Gaetani agreed to stand for appointment. No further nominations were forthcoming. On motion by Ms. E. Donaher - it was resolved: “That Ms. Ms. C. Gaetani, be appointed for Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term expiring December 31, 2016.” STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT CARD PRESENTATION 5. The Committee considered correspondence entitled “Strategic Plan for the Environment Implementation: 2014 Report Card/Webpage Update”, dated January 7, 2015 regarding initiatives to implement Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. Ms. B. Steiner and Mr. B. Sloan addressed the Committee, providing an introduction and explanation of the draft webpage for Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment and 2014 report card which outlines 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 new for the 2014 Report Card, staff have tried to present qualitative figures on the overall success of the themes, on indicators that are typically used when considering progress in the various themes. She stated that a summary of the actions undertaken in 2014, the qualitative data, along with hyperlinks to many of the related initiatives would be included on the new webpage. Ms. Steiner then reviewed the 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 advised that in 2014 the City adopted a new Official Plan which now identifies all of the known provincially, regionally and locally significant components that comprise a natural heritage system in Kitchener. She stated that in conjunction with the Parks Strategic Plan (2010) and Multi-use Pathway and Trails Master Plan (2012), it puts Kitchener in a much better position to optimize the potential for our natural heritage systems and recreational areas. She stated that there is still work to be done in this area with regards to monitoring, reporting and managing Kitchener's natural areas. Water Resources Mr. Sloan stated that through 2014, the restoration of Kitchener's streams and valleylands continued through 2014, with the construction and restoration of Schneider Creek through Filsinger Park and new environmental assessments and designs for the enhancement or restoration of both Idlewood and Balzer Creeks. He indicated that the RAIN program, the City’s education program for citizens with respect to stormwater, completed a fourth year of home and business visits and workshops. Air Quality Ms. Steiner commented on the development level of the Air Quality theme, noting in 2014 an audit of the Recommended Actions in both the 2006 and 2010 Air Quality in Kitchener reports revealed that only 7 of the 50+ actions have not yet been investigated or implemented, and they will be pursued in 2015 as a final step in this eight-year program. She stated that from the Audit it was determined that City plans, policies and practices adopted after 2006 have become effective tools for addressing air pollution. She further advised that the City has also made significant achievements in completing milestones of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program, and for both corporate and community greenhouse gas reduction are huge steps on the path to reducing air contaminants at the same time. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2015 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REPORT CARD PRESENTATION (CONT’D) 5. Land Resource and Growth Management Mr. Sloan addressed the Committee on the theme of Land Resource and Growth Management, noting Kitchener is well-positioned for the future. He advised that the City has an overall growth management strategy and program in place to coordinate and track growth. He noted that Kitchener is contributing to provincial and regional growth management targets faster than expected, stating that staff continue to rely on Kitchener’s Growth Management Plan (KGMP) Fall 2013-Fall 2015+ to guide development and growth for the City. Energy Systems Ms. Steiner commented on the development level of the Energy Systems, noting that our community has a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction target of 6% below 2010 levels. She stated that regional municipalities, including the City of Kitchener, are moving forward with actions, making progress on the following sustainability actions in our community: Community bike share systems; Electric vehicles (EV) and charging networks; Corporate sector reduction commitments; Zero-Impact sustainability incubator; Water efficiency target; and, Conservation & demand management (CDM) initiatives. Resource Consumption and Waste Management Ms. Steiner advised that although waste management falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo, she noted that the Region’s residential curbside audits show that one bag of garbage going to landfill still contains 53% organics that could have been composted and 14% paper/containers that could have been recycled. Environmental Education and Public Awareness Ms. Steiner commented on Environmental Education and Public Awareness, noting that there are a number of initiatives spearheaded by the City. She stated that focus needs to be made on monitoring and sharing these initiatives through a variety of media and with a broader public in an attempt to reach those not already engaged. In response to questions regarding the Committee’s role with regards to the in the Strategic Plan for the Environment Annual Report card, Ms. Steiner advised that the Committee typically provides feedback on the data presented by staff, and from that feedback staff will incorporate the comments within the report card. She noted that this year is challenging due to the Committee’s term cycle, stating that once members are more familiar with the Strategic Plan for the Environment the information will be more relevant. Several members questioned whether the indicators would be more effective if they were used to compare the data with other comparable municipalities. Ms. Steiner advised that the environmental indicators are being piloted for 2014, and suggested that the Committee may wish to establish a sub-committee in the fall of 2015 to review the indicators for continued use in subsequent years' report cards. Several members expressed support for the establishment of a sub-committee to review the environmental indicators that will be used within the Strategic Plan Annual report card. Ms. Steiner advised that the establishment of a sub-committee could be added as an item to the February 19, 2015 Environmental Committee Agenda for further discussion. In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised that members are welcome to provide additional feedback on the Report Card via email at barbara.steiner@kitchener.ca no later than Friday January 30, 2015. COMMITTEE LIAISONS 5. Ms. D. Saunderson advised that the Committee was in receipt of role descriptions for the following Committee Liaison positions: Earth Day 2015 Organizing Committee, the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee, the Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP); and Environmental Assessment Liaisons. She requested that members review the documents, as volunteers will be requested at the February meeting for the various liaison positions. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 22, 2015 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Committee Administrator