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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair
Ms. T. Driver, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. C. Gaetani, Ms. E. Skopec, Ms. A. Bumbacco and
Messrs. J. Jackson and S. Bongelli.
Staff: N. Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility
B. Cronkite, Interim Manager, Transportation Planning
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
L. Ross, Urban Designer, Planning
M. Wilson, Design & Construction Project Manager
D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator
KITCHENER’S GREAT PLACES AWARDS - REQUEST FOR REPRESENTATIVE ON
1.
JUDGING COMMITTEE FOR SUSTAINABLE KITCHENER AWARD
The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum entitled ‘Request for Environmental
Committee representative’, dated January 26, 2016, regarding the appointment of a
representative to serve on the Judging Committee for the Sustainable Kitchener Award. Ms. L.
Ross was in attendance to respond to questions.
Ms. S. Danckert opened the floor to nominations and it was agreed Mr. J. Jackson would be
the Environmental Committee representative on the Judging Committee for the Sustainable
Kitchener Award.
2015 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AUDIT RESULTS
2.
The Committee considered the 2015 Stormwater Management (SWM) Audit Results, outlined
in “Table ES-1: Summary of the 2015 SWM Audit Monitoring Results”. The Audit Results of the
monitoring program were developed from the recommendations contained within the 2014
SWM Audit, which was built upon data collected from 2002 through 2014.
Mr. M. Wilson presented the results of the SWM Audit Monitoring Program, which included
sampling results for: chemistry and bacteriology; benthic and fish sampling; and, continuous
depth and temperature monitoring. He advised the sampling was conducted at the water
quality stations in the following locations: Balzer, Hidden Valley, Idlewood, Strasburg,
Shoemaker, Sandrock, Kolb, Montgomery, Schneider, Henry Strum, Blair Creek. He indicated
the complete 2015 Stormwater Audit Report is available on the City’s website
(www.kitchener.ca/livinginkitchener/stormwatermanagement). He concluded the Report
includes 15 recommendations from the Consultant that would guide how future annual
monitoring programs are conducted and could be incorporated into the SWM Master Plan.
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) STREET LIGHTING CONVERSION
3.
The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘LED Street Light Replacement Program’,
dated February 3, 2016’, which outlines a proposal for the replacement of the City’s street light
network.
Mr. B. Cronkite presented the proposal and requested input on the colour temperature of the
LED replacement streetlights and the installation of Smart Urban Infrastructure. He advised
that as part of a Region wide initiative, the City is considering replacing the streetlight network
with Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures and highlighted the following features of the proposed
retrofit program:
the anticipated cost of the LED retro-fit would be approximately $7M before potential
grant and incentive opportunities;
the LED system would consume approximately 6,000,000. KWH less than the existing
street light program; with an annual savings of approximately $1M in maintenance and
electricity; and,
it is estimated the 500 tonnes of greenhouse gases can be saved annually through the
retrofit program in the City of Kitchener.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2016 - 5 - CITY OF KITCHENER
LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) STREET LIGHTING CONVERSION (CONT’D)
3.
He advised the installation of Smart City Infrastructure as part of the streetlight replacement
program would provide an opportunity to implement digital, information and communication
technologies to enhance quality and performance of urban services. He further advised Smart
City Infrastructure could provide benefits to the citizens through cost reduction and resource
consumption, as well as increased opportunity for citizen engagement. He noted that street
light infrastructure is a platform that could benefit from Smart City applications and described
other opportunities such as smart parking, waste management, smart metering and security
video surveillance.
In response to questions, Mr. Cronkite indicated many municipalities have completed LED
retro-fit programs and noted the installation of ‘warm white’ coloured lights with a temperature
of 3,000°C is near the current 2,700°C of the existing high-pressure sodium (HPS) street lights.
He explained that ‘warm white’ mitigates most of the known health and environmental
concerns associated with LED lighting. He responded to further questions regarding the
capabilities and intended use of the narrowband adaptive control network for the installation of
Smart City Infrastructure, advising that surveillance would not be capable through the initiative,
adding the proposal is to facilitate monitoring using sensors to enhance City services. He
assured the Committee consideration of the residents related to video surveillance in parks
and public places would be examined as part of a larger community engagement initiative for a
possible broadband network in the future.
Ms. C. Gaetani requested endorsement of the LED replacement program specifically include
the colour temperature of the LED lights to be 3000°C to ensure environmental concerns are
mitigated.
The Committee generally endorsed agreed to the LED street light replacement program with
colour temperature of 3000°C to replace the existing HPS street light infrastructure, thereby
achieving significant reductions in annual electricity consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions. In addition, the Committee further endorsed the installation of a narrowband
adaptive control network to reduce annual electricity consumption and greenhouse gas
production.
Mr. Cronkite advised a report would be brought forward at the March 7, 2016 Finance &
Corporate Services Committee meeting and indicated endorsement by the Environmental
Committee would be reflected within the consultation portion of the Report.
SUB-COMMITTEE REQUEST - DISCUSSION OF OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
4.
EVENT(S)
Ms. S. Danckert referred to the list of 2016 Earth Day Events and the memorandum dated
February 3, 2016, from Mr. J. Shea regarding Earth Day Activities at the Kitchener Natural
Area Program. She then opened the floor to a brainstorming session to determine options for
participation by the Environmental Committee. Ms. Danckert encouraged members to forward
ideas and input to Ms. T. Driver who will forward information to the Sub-Committee. She noted
the Sub-Committee will lead the initiative and report back to the Committee once input on the
possibilities is received.
With regard to next steps, Ms. A. Bumbacco agreed to ensure contacts have been made prior
to the Sub-Committee meeting during the last week of February 2016.
BEST BETS – STATUS UPDATES
5.
Ms. T. Belanger provided an update on green building initiatives, indicating she has been in
contact with Mr. B. Sloan, Manager of Long Range Planning, as well as Building Department
staff regarding initiatives currently undertaken within the City. She indicated Mr. Sloan informed
her that sustainable building requirements are under review by the Region of Waterloo in
collaboration with the area municipalities. In addition, Mr. Sloan indicated the Urban Design
Manual is being updated and will incorporate sustainable development. Ms. Belanger agreed
to formalize her comments to Ms. Steiner for inclusion in the final report on the Best Bets.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2016 - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER
ADJOURNMENT
7.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
Daphne Livingstone
Committee Administrator