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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. A. MacKinnon, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. C. Gaetani, Ms. A. Bumbacco, Ms. T. Driver, and Messrs. J. Jackson and S. Bongelli Staff: N. Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator 2014 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT RECIPIENT FINAL 1. REPORT: FULL CIRCLE Ms. C. Musselman advised the Committee Mr. Eduardo Cejudo, Full Circle Project KW-NEG, was not in attendance this date. She noted that the final report was included with the Agenda for consideration of the Committee and staff would be follow up with him at a later date. 2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS 2. The Committee was in receipt this date of a Memorandum entitled “2015 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Evaluation and Scoring Instructions” and 2015 CEIG application forms from 7 local organizations requesting funding through the program. Mr. Rolf Thiessen, Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), gave a presentation in support of his CEI application requesting $1,500 to purchase t-shirts as a motivational tool for the participants of the program. Mr. Thiessen highlighted the success of the curriculum and the overall benefits of the program. In response to questions from the Committee, Mr. Thiessen advised that although the program was initially started with support from REEP, CREW is now separate and does not receive funding. He further advised CREW is sourcing the t-shirts in Canada with all natural and environmentally friendly materials and processes. Ms. Samantha Kristoferson, Grand River Ontario Professional Organizers in Canada (GRO POC), addressed the Committee in support of her application to receive funding in the amount of $2,650. She explained her initiative to facilitate a series of nine workshops located at the Kitchener Public Library geared towards providing a safe learning environment resulting in improved environmental conditions. In response to questions, Ms. Kristoferson indicated it is not her intention to leverage the funding if she is the successful applicant. She stated the initiative can be completed within the resources provided by GRO POC, Professional Organizers within the Grand River area. Mr. Truzaar Dordi, Sustainable Youth Canada – Waterloo Region, addressed the Committee in support of CEIG funding in the amount of $3,000., to host a free public conference for the youth of Kitchener-Waterloo to encourage sustainability in local communities. He stated the conference will be held on January 21, 2016 and will raise awareness and empower youth to create sustainable communities. He explained that the event will be hosted in collaboration with a number of organizations, including: REEP, Working Centre, Grand River Conservation Authority; FoodNotWaste; and, Bike Share. Ms. Sheena Gruber, IMPACT: Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Environmental Group, gave a presentation in support of funding to support the continued maintenance and expansion of the Butterfly/Sculpture garden. She explained the Garden is used by staff and students as an outdoor classroom/gathering/performance space and for extracurricular groups and serves as a living example of sustainable gardening practices. She added that although funding request is formally for $3,000;-$5,000., the initiative would benefit from whatever amount could be generously provided. Mr. Darrick Hahn and Ms. Jane Barkley, Crestview Public School Council, addressed the Committee in support of their funding request to expand the Crestview Community Garden. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 2015 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS (CONT’D) 2. Ms. Barkley indicated the amount of the request of $5,000. would serve to expand the existing garden into a larger, landscaped space to grow more food while creating a dynamic outdoor space for students and the community. Mr. Hahn stated the construction would begin in Spring 2016, and much of the project is reliant on donations of landscaping, machinery, tools, seeds and plants. Mr. Hahn and Ms. Barkley emphasized the importance of the outdoor space as an opportunity to foster pride in the community while reducing vandalism by encouraging youth to be positively involved. Ms. S. Danckert advised the Committee the deadline for submitting completed scoring sheets is November 24, 2015. PRESENTATION - STORMWATER MASTER PLAN PROGRESS REPORT 3. The Committee was in receipt this date of a document entitled “Public Advisory Committee (PAC) Cyber Committee electronic Newsletter No. 3”, dated October 9, 2015. Mr. N. Gollan presented an update on the status of the Stormwater Management (SWM) Master Plan. He highlighted the six major tasks included in the Integrated SWM Master Plan, stating that to date the study team has completed Tasks 1 through 3 and Task 4 is currently underway. He reviewed the draft Market Based Strategy Report which contains recommendations for securing uptake of lot-level stormwater management on private property. He further advised that with regard to the SWM approaches, 7 different approaches are being evaluated and will result in the selection of the preferred implementation strategy. Mr. J. Jackson addressed the Committee in support of the recommendations within the progress report. In addition, he expressed concern with the following areas and indicated they should be addressed within the strategy: i) focus on the market based strategy – concern that SWM fees are too low for environmental impact and do not reflect the true cost to the environment; ii) green infrastructure and lobbying of Federal and Provincial governments should be part of the strategy in order to strengthen the requirements; and, iii) institutions are excluded from the strategy; however, they should not be, as institutional parking lots have significant impermeable surfaces. The Committee agreed that a subcommittee initiative could be formed to explore educating institutions, including site visits, on the importance of good filtration and the positive impact to the environment. BEST BET 3.2 – SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE 4. Ms. T. Belanger provided an update on Best Bet 3.2, which was to recommend the replacement of worn-out street sweepers with more advanced environmentally-friendly models to improve air quality. Ms. Belanger advised a response from Operations staff indicated that all new and future purchased street sweepers are PM-10 Certified, which ensures the size of particulate matter emitted is up to 10 micrometers in size, thereby reducing contamination. SUB-COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS 5. Councillor Y. Fernandes gave an unofficial update on all season walkability, advising Council is considering a snow-clearing pilot project for trails that would benefit children walking to school. At the request of Councillor Fernandes, Ms. D. Livingstone agreed to circulate the Healthy Kids Community presentation to the Committee members. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator