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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:01 p.m.
Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair
Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. J. Gray, J. Jackson and E. Saxon and Ms. T.
Belanger, Ms. L. Bourassa, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. T. Driver, Ms. C Gaetani, Ms. R.
Joneja, Ms. E. Kelly, Ms. K. Milicic and Ms. E. Skopec.
Staff: D. Schmitt, Environmental and Urban Forest Project Manager
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
J. Bunn, Committee Administrator
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1.2017/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE DRAFT WORK PLAN DISCUSSION
The Committee was in receipt this date of the 2017/2018 Environmental Committee Work Plan.
Ms. B. Steiner provided an overview of the draft Work Plan, advising the Plan establishes core
projects to be pursued over the coming terms. She noted the items identified in orange were
deemed complete and are to be removed from the Plan; and, the items identified in white
require the Committee to review to determine if they are still relevant and should remain on the
2017/2018 Work Plan.
Ms. Steiner led a detailed discussion on the Work Plan. The Committee noted the following:
• Item 1.1, related to the Kitchener Natural Areas Program - will remain. Councillor Y.
Fernandes is a member of the Program and will share relevant information with the
Committee;
• Item 2.1, related to the Kitchener Stormwater Master Plan – Public Advisory Committee
– will be revised to read Water Management Stewardship. Several members expressed
interest in the protection of source water in relation to development sites and discussed
opportunities to conduct site visits and potential logistics;
• Items 3.1 and 3.2 related to Air Quality – will be removed, as both items have been
completed;
• Item 4.1 related to Land Resources and Growth Management – will remain. Planning
staff will address the management strategy as part of their work plan; and,
• Items 5.1 and 5.2 related to Energy Systems - will remain on the Work Plan as items of
interest.
The Committee deferred the 2017/2018 Work Plan discussion, at this time in order to hear the
Sustainable Urban Forest Presentation.
2.SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST
The Committee considered a presentation dated April 20, 2017, entitled ‘Developing a
Sustainable Urban Forest Management Program’ prepared by Mr. D. Schmitt. In addition, the
Committee was in receipt this date of a questionnaire requesting feedback on the program as
part of the Community Engagement process.
Mr. Schmitt provided an overview of the Program, advising the objective is the development of
an Urban Forest Strategic Plan for the public and private urban forest, and an asset
management plan for trees located on City-owned property.
In response to questions, Mr. Schmitt indicated the Management Program was for public trees
only, noting the City does not have jurisdiction over private lands. In response to further
questions, he explained the Management Program would be considered a ‘living document’,
adding the Program may include a 100-year life cycle, but 10-year financial plan. In response
to recommendation from Ms. T. Driver, a clear definition of ‘sustainable urban forest’ would be
reviewed for inclusion in the final document.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2017 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2.SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST (CONT’D)
Mr. Schmitt outlined the Community Engagement process, indicating the program would be
brought forward for Council’s consideration in Spring 2018. At this time, the Committee
members formed groups to provide feedback on the aforementioned questionnaire. He advised
he has noted all the feedback provided this date, and indicated members could forward any
additional suggestions or comments they may have via email to david.schmitt@kitchener.ca.
1.2017/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE DRAFT WORK PLAN DISCUSSION (CONT’D)
The Committee reconvened their discussion on the 2017/2018 Work Plan at this time.
• Items 7.1 and 7.2 related to Environmental Education and Public Awareness – will remain
and be combined as the two items are similar in nature. Members recommended forming a
General Events Committee. Several Members indicated a desire to host an environmental
information booth at community events;
• Items 7.3 and 7.4 related to Environmental Education and Public Awareness – will remain
on the Work Plan as items of interest;
• Item 8.1 related to Strategic Plan Indicators – will remain on the Work Plan as items of
interest; and,
• It was suggested that a potential area of interest could be the financial impact of
sustainability on the City and its citizens.
Ms. B. Steiner noted she would incorporate the feedback received this date into the draft Work
Plan for consideration at the May 18, 2017 Environmental Committee meeting.
Ms. C. Gaetani encouraged any members having additional feedback to forward their
suggestions via email to Barbara Steiner at barbara.steiner@kitchener.ca.
3.APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE LIAISONS
Ms. C. Gaetani opened the floor to nominations and it was agreed that the following members
would be appointed as Committee Liaisons:
Ms. K. Milicic, Mr. J. Gray, Ms. T. Driver, and Ms. E. Kelly, be appointed to the
Environmental Committee’s Events Organizing Committee; and,
Ms. E. Skopec, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. T. Belanger, and Ms. E. Saxon, be appointed to
the Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) Sub-Committee – Application
Review.
4.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
Jeff Bunn
Committee Administrator