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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-24 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:03 p.m. Present: Ms. S. Danckert, Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. T. Belanger, Ms. C. Gaetani, Ms. E. Skopec, Ms. K. Milicic, and Mr. J. Jackson Staff: M. Drake, Neighbourhood Strategy Project Manager L. Walter, Design & Construction Project Manager B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk 1.2015 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) FINAL WRAP-UP PRESENTATIONS Ms. B. Steiner advised that Ms. S. Gruber, IMPACT: Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s Environmental Group, was not able to attend this date. Ms. Steiner indicated staff would request a follow-up report to be included in a future Committee Agenda. 2.NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY PROJECT The Committee was in receipt this date of information materials entitled ‘Kitchener’s Neighbourhood Strategy: Draft Recommendations’, as well as a Dot-mocracy survey related to the Neighbourhood Strategy Draft Recommendations. Ms. M. Drake provided an overview of the materials, outlining the purpose of the Strategy and a summary of the 18 proposed recommendations. She further advised that staff were in attendance this date to receive feedback on the recommendations, and to make any final adjustments prior to presenting the final Strategy to Council for approval. Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting at this time. Ms. Drake led the Committee in an exercise where members formed small groups to complete the Dot-mocracy survey. Members were asked to provide responses to questions based on their role as Environmental Committee members first, and Kitchener residents second. Ms. Drake thanked the Committee for their participation and advised members can provide further feedback online at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Neighbourhood- Strategy.asp. She indicated that residents can participate in the Survey until the end of November 2016, and the final document is anticipated to be presented to Council in February 2017. Mr. J. Jackson questioned whether the Committee could make a recommendation urging Council to allocate the necessary resources to implement the Strategy in its entirety, noting there are a number of environmental recommendations within the Strategy. It was noted any recommendations arising from this matter would be forwarded to Council in conjunction with the final draft of the Neighbourhood Strategy. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That the draft Neighbourhood Strategy, especially and the Environmental Principals contained therein, as presented to the Environmental Committee on November 24, 2016, be endorsed, with urging that the necessary resources be allocated to fully implement the Strategy.” 3.IDLEWOOD CREEK RESTORATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled ‘Class Environmental Assessment (EA) and Preliminary Design for Idlewood Creek’, dated November 24, 2016. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 2016 - 30 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3.IDLEWOOD CREEK RESTORATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (CONT’D) Ms. L. Walter presented an overview of the Idlewood Creek Restoration Class EA, noting the purpose of the EA included: addressing long-term sedimentation and erosion issues; addressing concerns associated with two online dams; and, developing recommendations to address any identified issues. Furthermore, she provided an update on the acquisition of the property municipally addressed as 155 Woolner Trail. Ms. Walter then provided a summary of the extensive background studies completed as part of the EA process, including: stream morphology; terrestrial ecology; aquatic ecology; and, dam structural assessment, and noted that Reach 6 is the focus of the report. She outlined the available preliminary alternatives, including: Stormwater Management Retrofits; Flo Diversions; Creek Rehabilitation; Sediment Management; Property Acquisition; or, a combination of the above. She noted that the recommended alternative is Creek Realignment, in conjunction with removal of the East Dam. Ms. Walter stated staff anticipate presenting the EA and preferred alternatives to Council in early 2017, followed by the EA being filed for a mandatory 30-day review. She indicated following that review period, staff will tender for consulting services to begin design work, with construction slated to begin in 2018. In response to questions, Ms. Walter advised construction is anticipated to occur in 2018, with the majority of the work likely to be completed in the winter months. She indicated the proposed scheduled is intended to minimize any adverse impacts on the wildlife habitat in the project area. Questions were raised with regards to the weighting criteria. Ms. Walter advised there are a number of criteria that are scored and weighted to determine the preferred alternative. She noted budget is one of the criteria evaluated to determine the preferred alternative; however, it is not the sole decision-making factor. The Committee then requested to view a copy of the scoring matrix and Ms. Walter advised it could be circulated to the Committee via email. In response to questions, Ms. Walter noted the recommended Creek alignment will benefit the species habitat as the floodplain water provides diverse habitats. She further advised the buildings located at 155 Woolner Trail will be demolished to accommodate the expansion of the Walter Bean Trail. 4.2016 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘2016 Community Environmental Improvement Grants (CEIG)’, dated November 4, 2016, summarizing the 2016 CEIG Sub- Committee recommendation. Ms. C. Gaetani provided an overview of the Sub-committee recommendation, noting a number of the requests did not meet the Terms of Reference of the CEIG program. It was suggested the CEIG applicants seeking funding for bike racks be referred to the Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee. Ms. B. Steiner acknowledged the suggestion and noted she has referred the applications to Transportation Demand Management staff. The Committee was advised any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered by Council on January 9, 2017. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That a total of $5,000. from the Community Environmental Improvement Grant capital account be awarded as follows: $1,025. - to Community Access Bikeshare – The Working Centre for a Bikeshare Education Project; ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 2016 - 31 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4.2016 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION (CONT’D) $3,000. - to Edible Forest Heights for the Forest Heights Community Centre (FHCC) Food Forest Enhancement Project conditional upon approval from City Parks Operations and receipt of a building permit if required. \[The grant is to be used to build a sloped roof on an existing structure, installation of a cistern and to improve signage for the food forest and pollinator fedge\]; and further, $975. – that the unused balance be carried forward to the 2017 Community Environmental Improvement Grant program.” 5.ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m. Siobhan Delaney Administrative Clerk