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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:01 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Mr. J. Jackson, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. C. Gaetani and Ms. K. Milicic. Staff: B. Sloane, Manager, Long Range Planning L. Majcher, Manager, Strategy & Business Planning C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator S. Delaney. Administrative Clerk RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (REEP) GREEN SOLUTIONS 2017 1. FUNDING REQUEST The Committee considered a letterfrom the Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) Green Solutionsentitled ‘Helping people live sustainably’, dated September 1, 2016, and corresponding materials requesting a grant in the amount of $30,000. Ms. M. J. Patterson and Mr. D. Blake, REEP Green Solutions, reviewed REEP’s achievements in 2015/2016 and their goals for 2017, stating the grant request of $30,000. would represent the City of Kitchener’s contribution to REEP’s 2017 Core Operating Budget. Ms. Patterson addressed the Committee, noting their organization is an environmental charity that helps people to live sustainably. She indicated REEP has a new Strategic Plan for 2016-2018, where their work can be summarized under three words: Show; Do; and, Connect. She noted Showing, Doing and Connecting has allowed REEP to continue to build support for their organization and assists with implementing sustainable solutions to help clients overcome barriers to environmental action. She further advised the work undertaken by REEP aligns well with the City’s Strategic Plan to build a strong and resilient economy, create safe and thriving neighbourhoods, and help establish a more sustainable environment and infrastructure. Mr. Blake provided a summary of REEP’s 2015-2016 financial report, noting 55% of their revenue is derived from fee-for-service programs with the balance from grant funding/donations. Ms. K. Milicic entered the meeting at this time. The Committee was advised that any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at a Standing Committee on November 7, 2016. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That subject to the 2017 budget deliberations, $30,000. be allocated to the Waterloo Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the Environmental Committee’s 2017 Operating Budget. 2015 CEIG FINAL WRAP-UP PRESENTATIONS 2. The Committee considered materials from the 2015 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) recipients, KW Professional Organizers, and Sustainable Youth Canada related to the success of their projects in which they were awarded grant funding. Ms. S. Kristoferson, Grand River Ontario Professional Organizers in Canada, provided an overview of their workshop series, noting they had taken advice from the Committee to reach out to the Kitchener Public Library who offered space to host their events. She indicated 262 participants attended their events and they hope to hold similar events again in the future. She further advised that the cost to conduct their workshop series was approximately $1100., with $550. of the budget being CEIG funding. She noted the majority of their costs were for printing educational materials and advertising related to their events. Mr. T. Dordi, Sustainable Youth Canada, Waterloo Region, provided an overview on their youth conference entitled ‘What can YOUth do?’, a local sustainability-themed networking ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2015 CEIG FINAL WRAP-UP PRESENTATIONS (CONT’D) 2. event for youth in the community. He stated approximately 200 people attended: 150 high school and university attendees; and, 50 local professionals. He indicated the conference was free and publicly accessible, noting the total expenditure for the event was $3,500., with $550. being their grant allocation through the CEIG program. Ms. C. Musselman advised that Derrick Hahn, Crestview Community Garden, was registered to speak this date; however, due to an unexpected event was unable to attend. She stated she would provide his presentation to the Committee on his behalf. She stated the Crestview Community Garden received a CEIG grant totaling $2,400. She noted to date they have spent $1,400. purchasing wood, stain and various other materials to construct the garden. She stated they have created circular beds that are wheelchair accessible, adding the remaining money is intended for stone dust paths to assist with the accessibility. She further advised the group intends to organize a summer gardening club in 2017 for youth to learn about gardening, basic plant sciences and getting their hands dirty. CAO-16-026 - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION UPDATE 3. The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-16-026, dated August 30, 2016, regarding the establishment of a Corporate Climate Acton Plan (CorCAP) that will include strategies to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (mitigation) and reduce the risk associated with the expected changes in climate (adaptation). Ms. L. Majcher presented the report, providing an overview of the City’s approach towards developing a comprehensive plan that satisfies the five milestones for the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program and the five milestones for ICLEI’s adaptation methodology. She noted the intention of the presentation this date is to brainstorm climatic factors that have the potential to threaten our built, economic, social and natural communities, noting examples such as temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events etc. and the impacts of those changes. Using a Climate Change Impact Assessment worksheet, Ms. Majcher provided some examples for each of the four communities, then led the Committee in a brainstorming session encouraging members to submit ways in which climate change is affecting, or how it will affect, our community. Councillor Y. Fernandes left the meeting at this time. Ms. Majcher further advised the input from the Environmental Committee would be included with information from various City staff and used to formulate Climate Adaptation Issue Briefs that will be reported to Council prior to the end of 2016. She indicated the Issue Briefs will summarize the impacts that fall within the scope of responsibility for the City of Kitchener and identify the Department/Division that will take primary responsibility for addressing the issue. She commented Issues that fall outside of the scope of the City’s mandate would be summarized and provided as input to the Community Adaptation Plan being coordinated by the Region of Waterloo. She noted staff anticipate reporting back to the Environmental Committee on the Corporate Climate Acton Plan (CorCAP) for discussion and feedback at the October 20, 2016 Environmental Committee meeting. She further advised any members having additional comments or questions could forward them via email to Laurie Majcher at laurie.majcher@kitchener.ca. 2016-2018 ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER APPLICATION INFORMATION 4. Ms. S. Danckert advised any Committee members interested in re-applying for the Environmental Committee are required to complete the online application form located on the City’s website at www.kitchener.ca/citzencommittees, as per the information material attached to this meetings’ agenda. UPDATE ON RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS 5. The Committee was in receipt this date of a letter from Mr. N. Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility, entitled ‘Class Environmental Assessment – City of Kitchener Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan (ISWMP)’, dated June 10, 2016, and corresponding materials. In ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER UPDATE ON RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS (CONT’D) 5. addition, the Committee was in receipt of Planning & Strategic Initiative Committee minutes from the August 8, 2016 meeting as well as correspondence related to the Committee’s recommendation to consider becoming a ‘Bee City’ affiliate. Ms. B. Steiner provided an update on the ISWMP as well as the ‘Bee City’ recommendations arising from the Environmental Committee. She noted the ISWMP EA was filed with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for its mandatory 30-day review period and it did not receive any appeals/objections; the Plan is now in force and effect. She further advised with regards to the recommendation put forward by the Environmental Committee related to becoming a ‘Bee City’ affiliate, Council has adopted the resolution and referred it to the 2017 Business Plan process for prioritization. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Committee Administrator