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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 16, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:02 p.m.
Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair
Councillor Y. Fernandes, Mr. J. Jackson, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. C. Gaetani
and Ms. E. Skopec.
Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
PRESENTATION - BEE CITY CANADA (BCC)
1.
The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘Bee City Canada’, dated May 31, 2016,
prepared by Ms. B. Steiner, and corresponding materials submitted by Bee City Canada (BCC)
requesting the City’s consideration of the possibility of becoming a Bee City affiliate. In
addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled ‘The World of
Pollinators’, prepared by BCC.
Ms. K. Fellows, Pollination Canada, presented the materials, noting BCC is an organization
whose mission is to encourage municipalities to celebrate and raise awareness of the
contribution bees and other pollinators make on our world. She noted BCC is a program that
already aligns well with the City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. She indicated the
Program endorses a set of commitments, defined in a Council resolution for the Committee’s
consideration this date, for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators. She further advised the
organization recommends the following implementation steps in becoming an affiliate of BCC,
including: completing a Bee City application form; adopting a resolution identifying the
municipality as a Bee City affiliate; and, identifying a committee, City Division, and staff liaison
to facilitate the Bee City program. She requested the Committee consider this date passing a
resolution this date requesting Council’s further consideration of becoming a BCC affiliate.
Questions were raised regarding the BCC program and how the City would be supported by
BCC if Council opted to become an affiliate member. Ms. Fellows advised that the program is
currently very new and at present BCC would provide the City with a number of resources on
the protection and awareness of pollination and pollinators.
Questions were raised regarding the City’s reporting requirements and what BCC does with
the data received. Ms. Fellows advised the data received from municipalities is related to
maintaining the affiliation status and is not being leveraged for scientific purposes. She
indicated it may be something considered as the Program continues to grow.
In response to questions, Ms. Fellows advised that currently there are no fees required to
become an affiliate member of BCC.
Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting at this time.
Several members indicated support for the matter, but noted there was still some lack of clarity
on how the City would benefit from being a BCC affiliate.
Ms. Fellows stated one of the major reasons for becoming an affiliate member would be to
initiate conversations around items such as ecological relationships, encouraging residents to
grow foods locally and help in decreasing the use of chemical toxins. She further advised, by
adopting the BCC program, the City will become a role model to other municipalities to
increase awareness and educate residents on the importance of the pollinator.
Ms. B. Steiner noted the Committee may wish to consider the draft recommendation outlined in
the memo dated May 31, 2016, included in the agenda package. She stated there would likely
need to be a review of the programs currently being undertaken by the City and how they
would align with the BCC program.
A motion was brought forward by Mr. J. Jackson to approve the recommendation as outlined in
the memo with an amendment to include a review of the benefits obtained by the City through
becoming a Bee City affiliate.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 16, 2016 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENTATION - BEE CITY CANADA (BCC) (CONT’D)
1.
It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at the August
8, 2016 Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee. Ms. S. Danckert advised that a member of
the Committee could attend that meeting to represent the Committee when the matter is
considered. She then opened the floor for volunteers.
As no one volunteered this date, Ms. Danckert suggested any members interested in attending
the August 8, 2016 Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting could contact Dianna
Saunderson via email at dianna.saunderson@kitchener.ca prior to the August 8, 2016 meeting
to volunteer.
On motion by Mr. J. Jackson -
it was resolved:
“That staff investigate and report to the Environmental Committee on the benefits and
feasibility of Kitchener becoming a Bee City Canada affiliate and how such an affiliation
coordinates with any current and planned City Initiatives to support pollination and
pollinators in Kitchener.”
PRESENTATION - SMART FUELLING
2.
The Committee considered a letter entitled ‘Smart Fuelling’, dated April 19, 2016, and
corresponding materials regarding the organization and their campaign to promote greenhouse
gas reductions and saving consumers money. The Committee was in receipt this date of a
presentation entitled ‘Smart Fuelling: Reduce Emissions. Save Money. Help the Planet’, dated
June 16, 2016.
Ms. T. Anderson, Smart Fuelling, presented the materials, advising that Smart Fuelling is an
organization formed by leading industry associations, including: The Canadian Independent
Petroleum Marketers Association (CIPMA); The Canadian Convenience Stores Association
(CCSA); and, The Canadian Fuels Association (CFA). She noted the Organizations’ goal is to
promote a campaign aimed at educating Canadians on efficient uses of fuels to help reduce
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and save money. She indicated the Organization
recognizes our reliance on fossil fuels and believes there are opportunities to educate
consumers on small tangible changes that can be made to help reduce GHG emissions and
save money. Ms. Anderson provided sample of the educational materials they have produced.
She urged the Committee to pass a resolution this date requesting Council to consider a
partnership with their organization to help promote the Smart Fuelling Campaign through
initiatives such as a Smart Fuelling icon on the City’s website, use of social media and a joint
press release. She further advised the partnership could promote the City as an education
leader on climate change, which may set a precedent for other municipalities.
Concerns were raised regarding the name of the coalition and the connection to use of fossil
fuels. Ms. Anderson advised that the Organizations’ goal is to promote smarter uses of fossil
fuels and improving consumer habits, which was how the name was agreed upon. She advised
the suggestions outlined in the sample educational materials are not static and can/will be
revised with other Smart Fuelling initiatives as required. She noted those items currently
depicted in the educational materials are items the Smart Fuelling coalition believed were easy
actions people could take to reduce their GHG emissions. She stated the educational materials
are intended for gasoline retailers to help educate their customers on the use of fossil fuels,
and the educational tips are targeted to those consumers.
It was noted that the Committee recently received a presentation from an organization named
Our Horizon related to warning labels on gas pumps and questions were raised on whether the
presentation this date was in response to the Committee’s recommendation regarding the gas
pump warning labels. Ms. Anderson advised that she was aware of the initiative undertaken by
Our Horizon, noting gas pump warning labels are reliant on individuals’ conscience to feel
guilty for using fossil fuels. She indicated Smart Fuelling has a focus on education/awareness,
which research has indicated will have greater impact on changing people’s behaviors.
Several members expressed concerns with the City partnering with Smart Fuelling to assist in
promoting their campaign, noting that the coalition is a for-profit organization with the means to
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PRESENTATION - SMART FUELLING (CONT’D)
2.
promote the campaign without the assistance of the municipality. In addition, it was noted that
the coalition is made up of gasoline retailers that also have an interest in making a profit by
selling fossil fuels. Members offered the following suggestions to assist with the promotion of
the campaign, including:
reviewing the Smart Fuelling name to consider making a greater connection to reducing
GHG emissions and the impacts on the use of fossil fuels; and,
consider revising the educational materials to include items such as purchasing energy-
efficient vehicles and avoid fueling on smog days.
SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
3.
The Committee considered a presentation entitled ‘Project Introduction – Developing a
Sustainable Urban Forest Management Program’, dated May 18, 2016. In addition, the
Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled ‘Developing a Sustainable Urban
Forest Management Program’, dated June 16, 2016 and document containing discussion
questions for the Environmental Committee, dated June 7, 2016.
Mr. D. Schmitt provided an overview of the project, advising the objective is to develop a
Sustainable Urban Forest Program with the creation of an Urban Forest Strategic Plan for the
public and private urban forest, and an asset management plan for the trees on City lands. He
provided an overview of the project objectives and outcomes, including the projects’ anticipated
timeline. He indicated the project considers the goals of achieving a sustainable urban forest
compatible with the goals of asset management, which is the act of providing the required level
of service while minimizing the costs and risks. He added that the value of trees is primarily at
the end of their life cycle and emphasized the importance of preservation and conservation. He
noted he was in attendance this date to receive feedback from the Committee on the three
questions circulated to the Committee, which are as follows:
1. Does the Committee have any comments or questions about the information provided?
2. From an environmental perspective, are there any issues, challenges or opportunities
that need to be identified?
3. Does the Committee support staff returning in September 2016 to provide an overview
of the background analysis?
Mr. Schmitt advised that staff will be completing the background analysis over the summer
months and intend to provide a follow-up presentation at the Committee’s September 15, 2016
meeting.
In response to Question 1, the members offered the following feedback:
members expressed interest in being kept informed regarding the development of the
Sustainable Urban Forest Program;
members expressed support for the public engagement process and consultation with
other public agencies on the development of the program;
it was suggested to consult with the 10,000 forest organizations as a possible
partner/seek feedback related to the development of the program; and,
suggestions were made to ensure the Program considers a wide variety of tree species,
noting challenges with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the attempt to mitigate future
risks similar in nature.
Ms. E. Skopec left the meeting at this time.
In response to Question 2, the members offered the following suggestions:
consideration needs to be given to development standards relating to planting trees and
soil quality/volumes; and,
questions were raised regarding removal of trees through development projects and
whether consideration would be given to the loss of a mature tree and the replacement
of a sapling.
In response to Question 3, the members expressed support with receiving a follow-up
presentation at the Committee’s September 15, 2016 meeting. Several members requested
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SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT (CONT’D)
3.
that consideration be given to making additional presentations to the Committee beyond the
September 2016 meeting as the Policy evolves, to ensure there are multiple opportunities to
provide feedback on the Policy prior to Council’s consideration.
Mr. Schmidt encouraged any members having additional feedback to forward their suggestions
via email to dave.schmidt@kitchener.ca.
SUSTAINABLE KITCHENER AWARD
4.
The Committee was in receipt this date of email correspondence entitled ‘New Agenda Item for
Thursday: Representative for Judging Committee - Sustainable Kitchener Award’, dated June
14, 2016.
Ms. S. Danckert advised that Mr. J. Jackson is no longer able to attend the Judging Committee
meeting on Thursday June 23, 2016 as the Environmental Committee representative. She
requested a new volunteer to participate in the Judging Committee.
As no volunteers came forward this date, Ms. B. Steiner noted there were a few regrets for the
meeting this date and agreed to circulate a follow-up email to all Committee members
requesting a new volunteer.
ACTIVE SUB-COMMITTEES - STATUS UPDATES
5.
Councillor Y. Fernandes indicated, with regard to Item 3.1 related to the Crossing Guard
Program under the theme of Air Quality, that she attended the Active and Safe Routes to
School meeting and can advise that there will be a greater encouragement this coming school
year to create messaging around walking to school. She indicated Council, at the June 13,
2016 Community & Infrastructure Committee meeting, considered a report on the
implementation of a 40 km/hr speed limit in all areas where public schools front onto City
streets. She further advised the speed limit reduction would provide more opportunity for police
enforcement to improve children’s safety when walking to school.
Councillor Y. Fernandes left the meeting at this time.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
6.
The Committee considered the City of Kitchener Community Engagement Review, including a
questionnaire requesting feedback from the members on engagement methods. Mr. J. Joseph
provided an orientation on the role of Community Engagement Consultant and an overview on
current projects, including online engagement and a comprehensive review of the City’s
engagement practices. He indicated during engagement with citizens, consistent themes have
become apparent which have resulted in the need for a review. He stated the projects will
provide information on the development of a community engagement policy.
Mr. Joseph led the Committee through an exercise to complete the questionnaire outlined in
the agenda package and solicited feedback from the members on which engagement methods
were most effective for them. He noted any members wishing to provide additional feedback
could complete the questionnaire in its entirety and forward it to josh.joseph@kitchener.ca. He
further advised it is his intention to keep the Committee informed through the development
process and members may be requested to participate in future engagement sessions.
ADJOURNMENT
7.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
Dianna Saunderson
Committee Administrator