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Home My WebLink About2016-01-28 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. C. Gaetani, Ms. K. Milicic, Ms. E. Skopec, Ms. A. Bumbacco and Messrs. J. Jackson and S. Bongelli. Staff: D. Kropf, Neighbourhood Strategy Engagement Associate B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner L. Majcher, Manager, Integrated Planning L. Korabo, Committee Administrator S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk PRESENTATION - COP21 DEBRIEF 1. The Committee was in receipt of an article from The Record entitled “Kitchener Mayor off to Paris climate talks”, published November 28, 2015 as well as a document approved by the United Nations outlining the goals and benchmarks for the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference ‘COP21’. Mayor B. Vrbanovic provided an overview on the roles of governments globally, nationally and locally in matters related to climate change, noting that climate change work began in 1990 when the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) formed. ICLEI is a not-for-profit organization that has 1,000+ member municipalities around the world. Canada has been involved since the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) established the Green Municipal Fund in 2000. Mayor Vrbanovic spoke of efforts globally led by the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) since 2004 to represent the interests of local governments in matters related to climate change. Mayor Vrbanovic is currently a member of UCLG’s Executive Board. Further, he circulated a graphic identifying the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as determined by the United Nations, which laid the groundwork for climate change endeavours. In Canada, the FCM established the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) with a $550M endowment from the Federal Government. The GMF provides grants and low-interest loans for projects in the following five sectors of municipal activity: brownfields; energy; transportation; waste; and, water. Mayor Vrbanovic noted the City of Kitchener has been successful in securing funding for several projects from the GMF (e.g. solar roof at the Kitchener Operations Facility and permeable pavement at the Huron Natural Area location). Mayor Vrbanovic advised Canada has signed the first ever Universal Climate Change Agreement resulting from the Paris meetings; however, provincial ministers will meet to establish the country’s own goals toward achieving the targets agreed to at COP21, one of which relates to global warming and rising world temperatures. Locally, Kitchener has been a leader on climate change and sustainability with the Environmental Committee being instrumental in many areas. An example of this would be the ‘Citizens’ Report Card on Air Quality’ which has guided the municipality’s environmental work for several years. A further example of local advocacy is the collaboration of all area municipalities and utilities along with REEP, CarShare, and Bike Share to form Climate Change WR. This regional organization has established a 6% reduction target of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for 2020, over the baseline established in 2010. An evaluation planned for 2016 will determine progression towards this goal and make a determination of what is required to achieve it. In response to questions from members, Mayor Vrbanovic provided comments on future steps the City of Kitchener could consider for a positive impact from a sustainability point of view. Ms. L. Majcher advised she has been involved with partner meetings on producing an infographic, summarizing the local implications of climate change. A draft of this infographic will be presented to the Committee for input at a future meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2016 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION - NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY 2. The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation, entitled “City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Strategy” dated January 28, 2016. The vision of the Neighbourhood Strategy is to help neighbours connect and work together to do great things in their neighbourhoods. Mr. D. Kropf advised this presentation would occur at all of the City’s advisory committees as part of the pre-engagement campaign to gather input and feedback. Phase 2 of the Strategy will be the development of neighbourhood-specific action plans, with Phase 3 being implementation. Mr. Kropf reviewed the governance model established to guide the Strategy process. A Project Team comprised of citizens and City staff will lead the process and receive advice from two groups, being: the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee; and, an Employee Advisory Committee (comprised entirely of City staff). Additionally, four Sub-committees are in place to look at communication & engagement, best practices research, data review & collection and, stakeholder lists. Other pre-engagement has already occurred. During the summer of 2015, Project Team members attended 27 neighbourhood events and collected 1,308 surveys with resident input. This input was used to develop an infographic to share residents’ feedback. Mr. Kropf circulated copies of the infographic to members. Additional pre-engagement is occurring with the development of #lovemyhood and stories posted on Facebook (December 2015– April 2016) and the launch of neighbourhood-themed colouring books for both children and adults (March 2016). Official community engagement will follow three streams: creative; conversational; and, online. Committee members were encouraged to assist by getting involved to help raise community awareness. A Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions handout is available to assist with these efforts. Finally, Mr. Kropf circulated a stakeholder list of community environmental organizations and requested members forward names of any that may have been overlooked or additional opportunities for engagement. He advised two additional presentations are planned on the Strategy in May-June 2016 (full consultation) and tentatively in September 2016 (draft of Strategy), and staff hope to present the Neighbourhood Strategy for Council’s consideration late 2016 / early 2017. CURRENT WORK PLAN / SUB-COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS 3. Ms. B. Steiner advised a review of the Committee’s current Work Plan was required in order to determine the status of each item. She outlined the seven items listed on the Work Plan which stemmed from the last round of ‘Best Bets’ and those members responsible provided updates, as available: 3.1 (Walk to School / Alternative Modes) Councillor Y. Fernandes advised that a pilot project is underway in Country Hills to enhance year-round trail access through winter ploughing. Further, there is an approved staff position, jointly funded by the City and both school boards that will plan school routes encouraging students to walk to school. She suggested the school boards take the lead on this initiative; however, requested an update after one year. Councillor Fernandes and Ms. S. Danckert will provide details on the work underway to Ms. B. Steiner for the summary report on “Best Bets”. 3.2 (Street sweepers) Information provided by staff via email. 5.2 (LED Lighting) Area municipalities are coordinating efforts to upgrade to LED lighting. Staff will present a report at the next Environmental Committee meeting. 5.1 (Rating System for Private Sector Projects) Subcommittee has not met, but will attempt to establish a date to meet with identified staff. Noted that this might be a longer-term project but it would be good to get more information from staff. Ms. T. Driver will coordinate. 7.4 (Green Festival Strategy) B. Steiner has reached out to staff and will coordinate a meeting with subcommittee members. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2016 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER CURRENT WORK PLAN / SUB-COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS (CONT’D) 3. 6.1 (Green Purchasing) B. Steiner will meet with Director of Supply Services and report to Sub-committee members before February 5 and will attempt to set date/time for meeting of all concerned. 6.2 (Construction Waste) Mr. J. Jackson to arrange meeting with Director of Building. Ms. B. Steiner continued the review of all other items on the Work Plan, as follows: 1.1 (KNAP) Ongoing. 2.1 (Stormwater Master Plan) Mr. J. Jackson has been providing input and noted that a revised draft will be available in the late spring. 4.1 (Kitchener Growth Management Strategy) Ongoing. Ms. S. Danckert noted the Sub- committee had discussed making ‘historic’ notes to pass along to the next Environmental Committee, as revisions to the Strategy will occur after the end of the current advisory committee term. 7.1 / 7.2 (Earth Day / Other) Noted there has been no presentation at Environmental Committee from staff organizing the 2016 Earth Day activities. Consensus was the Committee should do something to mark Earth Day and a suggestion made to contact the Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) and inquire if they would be interested in a joint venture. Ms. C. Gaetani will email J. Shea to inquire about a listing of Earth Day events for the Committee’s information. Councillor Fernandes offered to speak with KYAC about any interest in a joint undertaking. She noted that Bikefest is in early June 2016 and could be another possible event where the Environmental Committee could participate. 8.1 (Annual Report Card) Ms. B. Steiner will schedule a brainstorming meeting of this Sub- committee. COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE GATHERING – VOLUNTEER 4. The Committee Administrator reminded members of the invitation extended to them to attend the February 24, 2016 Advisory Committee gathering, sponsored by Compass Kitchener. Members are to respond directly to Jenn Grein at jenn.grein@kitchener.ca. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator