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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-20 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:03 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. C. Gaetani, and Ms. E. Skopec Staff: C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk 2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) FINAL WRAP-UP 1. PRESENTATIONS The Committee considered materials from the 2015 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) recipients, Rockway Public School and Eastwood Collegiate Institute, regarding the success of their projects in which they were awarded grant funding. Ms. Amanda Davis and Ms. Katherine Sestan Jones, Rockway Public School Greening Project, presented the Greening Project, advising the goal of the Project was to redesign the outdoor space to encourage students to take part in outdoor activities during recess, and to promote learning opportunities directly related to the curriculum. Ms. Sestan Jones advised that they received $2,000. in CEIG grant funding, which was used to help construct a water wall that teaches students about the water cycle, while providing a new opportunity for education and play. Ms. C. Musselman noted Ms. Sheena Gruber, IMPACT: Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Environmental Group was unable to attend this date and anticipated receiving their CEIG final wrap-up presentation at the November 24, 2016 Environmental Committee meeting. 2016 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) APPLICANT 2. PRESENTATIONS The Committee was in receipt this date of a memorandum entitled ‘2016 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Evaluation and Scoring Instructions’ and CEIG applications from six applicants requesting funding. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of an amended memo entitled ‘2016 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Evaluation and Scoring’ regarding an updated timeline for completing application scoring and Sub-committee recommendations. Ms. Rosemary Illjas, St. Aloysius Catholic Elementary School, addressed the Committee in support of their CEIG grant application. She noted their grant request in the amount of $2,000. would help support their Green Team Project in updating and replacing flowerbeds, as well as the construction of a peace garden. She explained that the flowerbeds will assist in making the exterior of St. Aloysius more appealing and functional, while the peace garden will be used as an outdoor classroom. In response to questions, Ms. Illjas noted the Green Team is currently comprised of 12 students, who through this program have the opportunity to learn a life skill of caring for plants and their environment. Mr. Chris. Woodcroft, Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, provided an overview of their CEIG application noting they were requesting $1,646. to assist with the installation of four bicycle racks which, along with their educational plan would help them promote healthy lifestyles and focus on environmental awareness. He advised the School Board has invested $3,000. in the program thus far, and the additional monies awarded through the CEIG grant program will further assist in promoting the idea of cycling to school. In response to questions, Mr. Woodcroft noted the request for funding for this project is associated solely with the need for bicycle racks, and not the educational portion of the project. Mr. Doug McKlusky, Edible Forest Heights, addressed the Committee in support of their CEIG grant request in the amount of $5,000. He indicated the funding would help their group establish a permanent water source for the food forest and pollinator fedge located at the Forest Heights Community Centre, specifically for the creation of a sloped roof that would ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2016 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2016 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) APPLICANT 2. PRESENTATIONS (CONT’D) help to collect rainwater in a large cistern. In response to questions, Mr. McKlusky indicated there is currently a concrete block with a door on the site, and funds would be used solely to provide a roof for the structure. Mr. David Blake, REEP Green Solutions, provided an overview of their CEIG grant application, noting their CEIG Grant funding request is for $2,500. He indicated the funding is intended to begin offering group consultations with a Home Energy Coach, to assist homeowners in developing and executing plans to improve home energy efficiency. He explained the Home Energy Coach will provide group consultations to a target audience, with up to 25 people per session, with a drive towards community Greenhouse Gas reductions. He further advised that if funding is received, Kitchener residents would be able to attend the sessions free of charge. In response to questions, Mr. Blake advised group consultations have never been held before; in the past it was always a one-on-one consultation. He indicated groups will be comprised of up to 25 people per session where Kitchener homeowners that have had an initial home energy evaluation in the preceding 120 days will receive free admission. He stated ten spaces will be guaranteed for Kitchener residents until one week before the consultation. Ms. Kathy Doherty-Masters, St. Bernadette School, addressed the Committee in support of their CEIG application, noting they were requesting grant funding in the amount of $2,920. She stated the funding would help the school achieve a ‘Gold Certification’ under the Eco School Provincial Certification for schools. She noted to achieve that status, they are required to improve their school ground greening with the assistance of the students, to earn the required points for the Certification. She provided an overview of their project, indicating their plan includes a garden beside the municipal sidewalk and a large outdoor classroom. She stated that these two projects are important to make the outside of the school more presentable, and to engage students in the importance of being environmentally friendly. Ms. Paulina Rodriguez, Community Access Bikeshare, presented their CEIG application, noting they were requesting $2,550. in grant funding to promote bikesharing and to raise awareness of the benefits of cycling and safety. She indicated the funding would assist them to host a community outreach campaign, which would run from April 2017 to November 2017. She stated the goal of their outreach program includes hosting a series of community events to help educate the public about the benefits of bikesharing; participating in other planned/scheduled community events; and, developing partnerships with other community organizations to promote bikesharing to those who do not have easy access to information on the bikeshare program. Ms. C. Musselman referenced a memo circulated this date regarding the evaluation and scoring of the CEIG applications, noting the date for submitting completed scoring sheets is October 27, 2016. Ms. S. Danckert requested the Terms of Reference outlining the criteria for the Grant Program be circulated to the Committee for consideration in the scoring process. COMMUNITY ENERGY INVESTMENT STRATEGY 3. The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘Community Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS) Update, dated October 4, 2016, regarding funding awarded from the Ontario Ministry of Energy, promoting community-scale energy planning for the preparation of an integrated Community Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS). The advantages of developing an integrated CEIS were noted and a progress update was delivered. Ms. C. Musselman provided an overview advising that the City of Kitchener, along with other area municipalities, was awarded funding under the Ontario Ministry of Energy Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) program to prepare an integrated Community Energy Investment Strategy (CEIS). She noted the CEIS will be undertaken in three stages, including: baseline study and mapping; stakeholder engagement; and, plan development. She further advised draft energy mapping has been prepared and is currently under review; and, stakeholder engagement began this past summer and will continue into the fall/winter. She noted Strategy development is anticipated to continue through 2017 and it was noted that the committee can expect another ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 2016 - 28 - CITY OF KITCHENER COMMUNITY ENERGY INVESTMENT STRATEGY (CONT’D) 3. update upon the completion of Stages 1 and 2. In response to questions, Ms. C. Musselman indicated this program would have been an original component of ClimateActionWR if time and funding had allowed. ADJOURNMENT 4. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Siobhan Delaney Administrative Clerk