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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:15 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. E. Donaher and Mr. D. Hoshowsky Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator It should be noted that any recommendation arising from this meeting contained herein was endorsed without a quorum as only four members of the Environmental Committee were in attendance. 2013 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS: FINAL REPORT 1. PRESENTATIONS Ms. Steiner advised that as part of the Terms of Reference Council Policy I-590 (Grant Program - Community Environmental Improvement), applicants that receive grant funding through the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) must submit a final report detailing their grant expenditures, a summary of activities undertaken, environmental outcomes, and copies of any media coverage received. She noted that Juanita Metzger, Guelph Street Garden, and Sylvie Spraakman, TransitionKW, Climate Change Adaption Toolkit, are in attendance this date to present their final reports. Ms. Steiner further advised that Krista Rubous, Clipped Outdoors, had an unforeseen circumstance and was not able to be in attendance this date, noting that staff would follow up with her to obtain her final report. Ms. Juanita Metzger, Guelph Street Garden, presented the Rain Garden Project, advising that the Guelph Street Garden is an active community garden located in the Goodrich Uniroyal Park. She noted that the users of the Park experienced significant challenges with regards to maintaining their community gardens without easy access to on-site water. She advised that the CEIG grant funding was used to help construct a rainwater harvesting structure to facilitate the collection and storage of rainwater, providing an on-site water source for maintaining the gardens. She indicated that the structure is fully completed and there has already been a grand opening celebration which was held on Friday September 26, 2014. She further advised that additional information regarding the Project can be found on their Project blog at https://guelphstreetgarden.wordpress.com. Ms. Sylvie Spraakman, TransitionKW, presented their Climate Change Adaption Toolkit, advising that TransitionKW has a goal to build awareness for citizens on climate change within the Region of Waterloo, through a grass roots organization. She noted that the grant funding was used to create the Toolkit in both printed and e-book formats for people to learn about making changes in their daily lives to mitigate their impacts on climate change, as much as possible. She indicated that the Program has seen some initial successes, noting that the Toolkit had already been downloaded from their site over 200 times. She further advised that their next steps are to present the Toolkit at various workshops within the community to promote education around climate change. 2014 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) APPLICATIONS 2. The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum dated December 4, 2013, summarizing the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee recommendation. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of eight applications for the 2014 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) program from the following groups: JF Carmichael School Council; Kitchener-Waterloo Newcomer Environmental Group [KW-NEG]; Mansion Greens Community Garden; Forest Heights C.I. (Waterloo Region DSB); St. Dominic Savio Catholic Elementary School; WT Townshend Public School & Parent Council; TurtleHaven; and, THEMUSEUM of Ideas Transcending Objects. Ms. Melissa Yarascavitch and Ms. Anna Mast, JF Carmichael School Council, presented a brief summary of their 2014 CEIG application. Ms. Yarascavitch advised that the grant funding is being requested to help expand their existing greening program by planting and maintaining an edible garden, establishing a naturalized butterfly garden and establishing a waste diversion ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2014 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2014 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) APPLICATIONS 2. (CONT’D) program to create compost for their garden. She stated that the program’s intention is to teach the students about sustainable food production, create palpable connections to the food they eat and provide a kinaesthetic learning experience with insect life cycles. In response to questions, Ms. Yarascavitch advised that she is a member of the parent council and although they are receiving support from the school, they are not receiving any funding from the school or school board. Ms. E. Donaher entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Eduardo Cejudo, Full Circle: Organic Food Cycle Program; Kitchener-Waterloo Newcomer Environmental Group [KW-NEG], presented a brief summary of their 2014 CEIG application. He advised that their program is intended to increase awareness of food and food waste. He indicated the full circle program will involve a series of indoor and outdoor activities that aim to reproduce the complete food cycle on a local scale. In response to questions, Mr. Cejudo advised that this is the first year of their project but they anticipate 15 people/households committing to the program. He noted that they are currently working with Natasha Voll at the Williamsburg Community Centre to help focus their participant selection. Ms. Musselman advised that although there were initially six 2014 CEIG applicants that had registered to be delegations and were listed on the agenda, there were no other applicants in attendance this date to present to the Committee. Ms. S. Dankert spoke on behalf of the Sub-Committee, advising that the Sub-Committee is recommending that a total of $5,000.00 be allocated to three of the eight CEIG applicants as outlined in the memo as attached to this Committee’s agenda. Ms. Dankert noted any recommendations arising from this Committee will be considered at the January 19, 2015 Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting. Several members expressed support for the Sub-Committee recommendation, noting that the three applications identified for funding align well with the grant criteria. Councillor Y. Fernandes questioned whether the Committee could request proof from the Kitchener-Waterloo Newcomer Environmental Group [KW-NEG] as part of the Committee’s approval that they would have enough participants to successfully run the Program, due to the Program’s infancy. Ms. Musselman noted that an amendment could be brought forward requiring the applicants from the KW-NEG to provide proof that they have a number of participants registered or committed to the Program as part of the recommendation. Ms. E. Donher brought forward a motion to approve the Sub-Committee’s recommendation as outlined in the memo included with this agenda. Councillor Y.Fernandes brought forward a motion to amend Ms. Donaher’s motion to include an additional condition for the Kitchener-Waterloo Newcomer Environmental Group [KW-NEG] for a Full Circle: Organic Food Cycle Program, that the grant is conditional upon proof that a minimum of 10 participants have committed to the Program, which was accepted as friendly. On motion by Ms. E. Donher - It was resolved: “That the 2014 Community Environmental Improvement Grant ( CEIG), to be funded from the Environmental Stewardship Capital Account, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services report FCS- 14- 007, be awarded as follows: $2,000. to JF Carmichael School Council for a School Greening Project. The project is to create a school greening club, two edible gardens, a naturalized butterfly garden, and a waste diversion program (to create compost for the gardens); and, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2014 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2014 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) APPLICATIONS 2. (CONT’D) $1,500.00 to Kitchener-Waterloo Newcomer Environmental Group [KW-NEG] for a Full Circle: Organic Food Cycle Program. The program will educate the community (especially newcomers) and build environmental stewardship through workshops on sustainable, low impact behaviours (vermicomposting, seedling, canning, etc.) by creating a community garden. [The grant is conditional upon receipt of the other funds to complete the project and proof that a minimum of 10 participants have committed to the program. The grant is not to cover harvesting party or appreciation gifts]; and further, $1,500. to Mansion Greens Community Garden for a Rain Water Infiltration Project in Weber Park. The project will install an infiltration gallery that will capture and sink excess storm water from turf grass and community garden area. The community garden will be able to utilize water collected in the garden area. The project will also include a workshop and permanent signage. [The grant is conditional upon receipt of proof of approval of City Parks Operations and receipt of the other funds to complete the project] SCHEDULE B CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) IDLEWOOD CREEK 3. The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled, “Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design for Idlewood Creek”, dated November 20, 2014. Ms. Steiner advised that the Presentation is a summary of the materials that were presented at a Public Information Centre held on November 13, 2014. She stated that the City is in the early stages of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) on Idlewood Creek to determine alternatives for addressing long-term sedimentation and erosion in the Creek as well as investigating whether there are any issues with two online dams. She indicated that the Creek has been identified as being a coldwater creek and the study will also explore opportunities to improve the watercourse. She commented that the project limits are from Fairway Road to the outlet at the Grand River. Ms. Steiner advised that as part of the Class EA process evaluation of alternatives, assessment of the potential environmental effects and identification of mitigation measures for potential adverse impacts will be conducted and presented through public and agency consultations. The Class EA process will take into account adjacent private properties, aquatic habitat concerns, future operations & maintenance, aesthetics, safety, and social and recreational uses. She further advised that once the overall deficiencies and surrounding environment are better understood through background investigations and technical assessments, a set of alternative solutions will be evaluated and presented to the stakeholders for comment at various points throughout the Study. Ms. Steiner stated that the Committee is being requested for feedback in the preliminary stages on whether there are any additional alternatives other than those outlined in the presentation this date, and whether there were any additional evaluation criteria that should be considered. She noted that this would be the first of two presentations to this Committee, and that when the preferred alternatives are identified; staff would request time on the agenda to present those alternatives. In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised that the owner of the privately owned dam within the study area is an active stakeholder in the EA study and it has yet to be determined whether the City would acquire the property, or whether the property owner is willing to sell the dam as part of the water course improvement. Ms. Steiner advised that there is currently a questionnaire available on the City’s website that will be available until November 28, 2014 to receive feedback from the public. She advised that following the completion of the questionnaire, staff will be reviewing the alternatives and a second PIC will be scheduled for January or February 2015. She noted that staff anticipate seeking Council approval on the EA in Spring of 2015. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 2014 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-14-114 REVIEW OF AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER – 2010 AND ANNUAL FIVE BEST 4. BETS PROGRAM The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-14-114, summarizing the deliberations of the Environmental Committee regarding the Air Quality in Kitchener Report and the annual five Best Bets selection. Ms. Steiner presented the Report, noting that from the Committee’s deliberations that took place throughout the Spring of 2014, it has been concluded that the Recommended Actions not yet implemented through the annual ‘Five Best Bets’ process are, or will be, implemented through new City policies, plans and/or practices which did not yet exist in 2010. She stated at the Committee’s September 18, 2014 meeting there were approximately 20 remaining Recommended Actions, and seven of those Items were identified by the Committee for further investigation and possible implementation. She noted that those Action Items will be referred to the next term of the Committee and once those seven have been addressed, any future actions and reporting on air quality should be assessed as part of the Air Quality theme of the Strategic Plan for the Environment. The Environmental Committee agreed with the summary of actions undertaken to review the Report, with the review’s conclusions and proposed approach outlined in Report CSD-14-114. Members expressed a willingness to work jointly with staff to ensure that further action is undertaken on the seven Recommended Actions as part of the Committee’s 2015 Work Plan. On motion by E.Dohner - it was resolved: “That in lieu of updating the Air Quality in Kitchener report and selecting Best Bets in 2015 the following actions be taken: the remaining Recommended Actions as outlined in Table 2 of Community Services Department Report CSD-14-114, be referred to Environmental Committee sub-committees and staff for investigation into their feasibility and usefulness in promoting air quality improvements with a status report to be provided at the May 2015 Environmental Committee meeting; future progress on the theme of Air Quality be referred to the annual report card for the Strategic Plan for the Environment as the appropriate mechanism to monitor, celebrate and communicate Kitchener’s progress in air quality improvement; and, this modified approach be reflected in the Work Plan to be prepared for the new 2015-16 term of the Environmental Committee.” COMMITTEE FAREWELL 5. As this was the last meeting of the Committee’s current term, Ms. B. Steiner thanked the members and staff for all of their hard work over the past two years. Ms. Steiner advised that Mr. G. Zador sent his regrets for the meeting this date. She advised that staff a later date, will present to him at a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his eight years on the Committee, and read an email from him thanking staff for all of their hard work and encouraging members to participate in meaningful issues and stay engaged. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Committee Administrator