Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 19, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. J. Jackson, J. Gray and E. Saxon and Ms. L. Brouassa, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. E. Kelly, Ms. K. Milicic and Ms. E. Skopec. Staff: B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning L. Majcher, Manager, Strategy & Business Planning B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner S. Brown, Senior Sustainability Planner D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk Prior to commencement a Committee resource storage drive was circulated to all members containing information regarding: staff resources; Committee structure, mandate and reporting; Terms of Reference; meeting and delegation guidelines; Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and Advisory Committees; Advisory Committee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs); and, the City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. Members were requested to review the reference materials and update any documents throughout their term. 1.WELCOME AND COMMITTEE MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS Ms. B. Steiner welcomed members to the Environmental Committee’s inaugural meeting of the 2017/2018 term. Each member was requested to introduce themselves and state their interest in applying to the Committee. 2.COMMITTEE ORIENTATION - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MANDATE AND CORPORATE VISION The Committee reviewed Council Policy Resolution I-100 entitled ‘Environmental Committee – Terms of Reference’, dated January 18, 2010. In addition, Ms. B. Steiner gave a presentation entitled ‘2017 Environmental Committee Orientation’, and led the Committee in a review of the materials contained in the circulated storage drives, highlighting the following: Green Kitchener document; City’s Strategic Plan for the Environment; Kitchener Growth Management Strategy; Environmental By-Laws; Environmental Grants; committee structure; and, member responsibilities. Councillor Y. Fernandes entered the meeting at this time. Members were requested to review all of the reference materials, noting that they were circulated via the storage drive provided at the beginning of the meeting. 3.PRESENTATION - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES & RELATIONSHIPS Ms. D. Saunderson gave a presentation entitled ‘Advisory Committee Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships’ outlining how advisory committees fit within the overall corporate context of the City of Kitchener. She pointed out that as an Advisory Committee of Council, the Environmental Committee is responsible for promoting the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the environment in a manner consistent with the City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan for the Environment. Members interested in bringing forward items for the Committee’s consideration should ensure it falls within the mandate of the Committee as set out in its Terms of Reference and is within the jurisdiction of the City. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 19, 2017 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4.ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Ms. D. Saunderson opened the floor to nominations for the position of Committee Chair. Mr. J. Jackson nominated Ms. C. Gaetani, who agreed to stand for appointment. No further nominations were forthcoming. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That Ms. C. Gaetani, be appointed Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term expiring November 30, 2018.” Ms. C. Gaetani then opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. Ms. T Driver, Ms. E. Kelly and Ms. S. Danckert agreed to stand for appointment. Ms. T. Driver was selected as Vice-Chair. On motion by Mr. J. Jackson - it was resolved: “That Ms. T. Driver, be appointed for Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term expiring November 30, 2018.” 5.CAO-17-003 - CORPORATE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN VISION - GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) REDUCTION TARGET AND ADAPTATION COMMITMENT The Committee considered Community Service Department report CAO-17-003, dated January 4, 2017 regarding Phase 1 of the Corporate Climate Action Plan, which recommends a Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction target; commitment to ICLEI’s Changing Climate, Changing Communities methodology; and, establishment of a Corporate Climate Action Plan Steering Committee. Ms. L. Majcher, presented the Report, advising this is the first of a series of three reports due to be presented to Council for approval leading up to the presentation of a comprehensive Corporate Climate Action Plan for the City of Kitchener. She indicated each of the reports will complete one or more of the major milestones in the planning process and will be submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for recognition under the Partners for Climate Protection Program. She provided a brief overview of Phase 1 of the Corporate Climate Action Plan, indicating the objectives included: updating the City’s Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions inventory for 2015; establishing a Corporate Climate Action Team and mandate; reviewing a series of issue briefs that identify expected impacts of climate change; and, requesting approval from Council on the Corporate GHG emissions targets and to confirm commitment to corporate adaptation planning. Ms. Majcher provided an overview of Phase 2 and 3 of the Corporate Climate Action Plan, noting those Phases include: drafting high-level corporate energy management strategies; completing Vulnerability and Risk Assessments for City services; establishing priority mitigation and adaptation actions; detailing an implementation plan; and, establishing a plan for monitoring and reporting. She presented the 2015 Corporate GHG Inventory, advising by 2026 the City’s GHG emissions, due to City growth are projected to increase by 15%. She indicated staff will be requesting Council approval for a GHG reduction target of 8%, a target that by 2027 will equate to a 20% decrease in the projected levels for 2027. Ms. Majcher advised the target reduction is aggressive and there are still a number of unknown factors relating to the implementation and the necessary resources on how the City will achieve the target level. She indicated she was in attendance this date to respond to any questions the Committee may have on Phase 1 of the Plan, receive any suggestions for improvements from the Committee; and, to receive the Committee’s endorsement of the Plan and GHG target. In response to questions, Ms. Majcher advised waste management is a responsibility of the Region of Waterloo. She indicated any energy consumption and GHG emissions related to that service would be identified in the Regional Inventory. It was noted the City is also a partner in the Community Action Plan on Climate Change where the City, as well as the area municipalities, have made a commitment to a community GHG reduction of 6% below 2010 levels by 2020. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 19, 2017 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5.CAO-17-003 - CORPORATE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN VISION - GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) REDUCTION TARGET AND ADAPTATION COMMITMENT (CONT’D) The Committee members offered the following suggestions / feedback: concerns were raised with the sentence on page 16 under Section 3.4 – Recommended GHG Emissions Reduction Target referring to the Corporate GHG target. It was suggested the sentence may have a negative connotation to the possibility of achieving the 8% GHG target reduction, and clarifying what the possible unforeseen risks may be would potentially be beneficial in promoting the City’s efforts in identifying such an aggressive target; page 16 under Section 3.4 – Recommended GHG Emissions Reduction Target indicates the 8% reduction target will result in an overall reduction of 20% over 10 years. It was suggested that consideration may be given to reviewing the presentation of the figures, noting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) recommends a 20% reduction below baseline year for municipal operations; however it should be clarified that the City is not pursuing the target proposed by FCM; it was suggested that consideration should be given to highlight the work the City has already undertaken to achieve GHG emission reductions. On motion by Ms. S. Danckert - it was resolved: “That the Corporate Climate Action Plan: Phase 1 – Emission Targets and Adaption Commitment be endorsed, as outlined in Chief Administrative Officers report CAO-17- 003.” 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Committee Administrator