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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-17 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 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. K. Milicic, Ms. E. Skopec, and Mr. J. Jackson Staff: M. Ryan, Project Manager B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator PRESENTATION - 2015 RAIN PROGRAM 1. The Committee considered information material entitled “RAIN: Stormwater Solutions for your Home”, prepared by REEP Green Solutions. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled “REEP’s Delivery of the RAIN Program in Kitchener” and a document entitled “Lessons Learned from Administering the RAIN Program from 2011-2015.” Ms. Cheryl Evans, RAIN Program Manager, REEP Green Solutions (REEP) presented an overview of the RAIN Program, advising that it is an ecological approach to stormwater management with goals of protecting and enhancing ground and surface water quality; reducing the risk of urban flooding; and, recording actions achieved via the Storm Water Rebate program. She noted they have shifted the program to utilize the community based social marketing principles as a means of influencing property owner attitudes. She then reviewed key accomplishments under the present RAIN and Stormwater Utility Credit Program and asked the Committee to provide feedback. In response to questions, Ms. Evans noted the current Credit Program resulted in only the keenest businesses and residents engaging in the program and suggested if greater incentives were available, more successful implementation of the program could be achieved. Ms. A. McKinnon inquired if REEP uses prequalified contractors for the design of stormwater management landscape design projects. Ms. Evans explained at this time there is no list of prequalified professionals for referral to interested parties; however, she noted Landscape Ontario is offering a certification program, which may lead to a prequalification list in the future. With regard to potential ideas for use of City funding in the RAIN program, Ms. S. Danckert suggested an educational sticker could be produced to apply to rainbarrels informing of benefits and purpose of rainbarrels. She also suggested producing a brochure or information pamphlet regarding the benefits of permeable paving. Councillor Fernandes encouraged Ms. Evans to contact the Neighbourhood Strategy project team for possible participation in consultation activities. Ms. Evans agreed additional engagement could expand the participation rate, noting that market research indicates friends and neighbours influence 50 percent of participants and nurseries and contractors influence the other 50 percent. IDLEWOOD CREEK RESTORATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) 2. The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation, entitled “Public Information Centre No. 2, Idlewood Creek, Fairway Road to Outlet at Grand River”, dated December 8, 2015 regarding the second Public Information Centre (PIC) held December 8, 2015 for the Idlewood Creek Restoration Class Environmental Assessment (EA). Ms. M. Ryan gave the presentation. Ms. Ryan reviewed the scope of the project and the actions that have taken place thus far in the EA process in detail, including: the purpose and objectives which led to the selection of the ‘long-list’ of alternatives; and, the public feedback received at the first PIC on November 14, 2015. She indicated following the first PIC, the City has been working with the landowners and agency stakeholders to identify alternative solutions to address the issues identified with Idlewood Creek. She reviewed the preliminary evaluation criteria and the preliminary assessment of alternatives used to determine a short-list of alternatives, which the project team then used to establish a list of preliminary preferred alternatives. She presented the preliminary list of preferred alternatives advanced by the project team, including: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2015 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER IDLEWOOD CREEK RESTORATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) 2. (CONT’D) Alternative B2: Source Controls (LID) Lot level controls to reduce drainage to Idlewood Creek Alternative D1: Creek Rehabilitation – Realignment Short restoration natural channel design required for removal of the old Woolner Road Crossing Alternative D2: Creek Rehabilitation Protect In-Place; Promote local creek stability by either removing Grand Valley Trail Association pedestrian bridge or conducting local creek banks restoration Alternative D3-1: Creek Rehabilitation – City Dam Removal Decommission of City of Kitchener Dam location and provide stable realigned channel that facilitates fish passage. The City of Kitchener dam removal includes a 60 m long bypass channel around a preserved wetland function within the existing backwater pool, with appropriate flow splitting and restoration elements. Ms. Ryan reviewed future considerations with alternative D3-1 as well as the next steps in the EA, advising comments would be received until January 5, 2016. She noted a finalized design is anticipated to be brought forward for Council’s consideration in 2016, followed by the EA being filed for a thirty-day review in 2016. In response to questions from the Committee, Ms. Ryan advised at this time the budget and timing of the restoration of Idlewood Creek has not been determined. She added there are competing priorities that Council will have to consider; however, the EA lays the foundation for the consideration of Council and recognizes the environmental impact due to stream erosion, sediment and fish passage as well as the opportunities to protect the Idlewood Creek subwatershed. CSD-15-093 - 2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) 3. APPLICATIONS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-15-093, dated December 1, 2015, summarizing the 2015 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee recommendation. Ms. C. Musselman presented the report, advising any recommendations arising from the meeting this date would be considered at the January 25, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting. Discussion took place regarding the types of projects that received CEIG approval and it was noted that a number of current and past recipients have been affiliated with projects located at schools. Members suggested increased public awareness of the types of eligible projects could assist in broadening the types of applications received. The Committee suggested a Sub- Committee be established to brainstorm ideas of eligible projects as part of the public awareness efforts, as well as developing a media strategy for 2016. At the request of the Committee, Ms. Musselman agreed to expand the City’s website to include projects that could be eligible in addition to past recipients’ information. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That a total of $6,500.00 from the Community Environmental Improvement Grant capital account be awarded as follows: • Two thousand and four hundred dollars ($2,400.) to Crestview Public School Council for a School Garden Project; and , • Two thousand dollars ($2,000.) to Rockway Public School Greening Project - Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. for a School Greening Project; and, • One thousand dollars ($1,000.) to IMPACT: Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Environmental Group for a School Greening Project; and, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2015 - 37 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-15-093 - 2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) 3. APPLICATIONS (CONT’D) • Five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.) to Sustainable Youth Canada – Waterloo Region for a ‘What can YOUth do?’ conference; and further, • Five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.) to Grand River Ontario Professional Organizers in Canada for an ‘Organizing Your Environment for Better Living & Healthier Communities’ workshop series.” SUB-COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS 4. Ms. S. Danckert indicated there were no progress reports from the Sub-Committees to be presented this date and encouraged members to advise for the next agenda of any updates. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Daphne Livingstone Committee Administrator