HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-21
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:04 p.m.
Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair
Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. J. Jackson, J. Gray and E. Saxon, and Ms. T.
Belanger, and Ms. K. Milicic.
Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
J. Bunn, Manager, Council and Committee Services/Deputy Clerk
S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk
1.REEP GREEN SOLUTIONS 2017 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY AND REQUEST FOR
FUNDING
The Committee was in receipt this date of a report entitled ‘2017 Report to the Community and
Funding Request’, dated September 1, 2017.
Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director, REEP Green Solutions, Mr. Dave Blake,
Associate Director, REEP Green Solutions and Mr. Patrick Gilbride, RAIN Program Manager,
REEP Green Solutions, were in attendance to provide an overview of REEP Green Solutions
and the RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods project. Ms. Patterson presented copies of the REEP
Green Solutions 2017 Report to the Community and gave an overview of the Organization’s
strategic direction which embodies the goals of Show; Do; and, Connect. Ms. Patterson also
provided the Committee a brief overview of ClimateActionWR, an organization who is
collaborating with municipal representatives to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by
6%, by the year 2020.
Mr. Blake addressed home energy efficiency, and gave an overview of available incentives in
connection with the RAIN project. He also presented the 2016-2017 Financial Report and
provided a statement of revenue sources and expenses. Ms. Patterson advised of the
available REEP Green Solutions workshops and mentioned various ways by which the
Committee can offer support, including approving core funding, promoting the home renovation
program, and attending the upcoming community launch.
On motion by Mr. J. Jackson –
it was resolved:
“That subject to the 2018 budget deliberations, $30,450. be allocated to the Waterloo
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the
Environmental Committee’s 2018 Operating Budget.”
2.RAIN SMART NEIGHBOURHOODS - PROJECT UPDATE
The Committee was in receipt this date of a report entitled ‘RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods End
of Year 1’, dated May 31, 2017.
Mr. Patrick Gilbride, RAIN Program Manager, REEP Green Solutions was in attendance and
provided an overview of the Report, noting ‘RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods’ is a three-year
project which began in 2016 with neighbourhood outreach, and has continued into 2017 with
the offering of financial incentives for citizens to move forward with rain smart projects. Mr.
Gilbride also provided an overview of the RAIN Coach service, which was launched to
encourage homeowners to find ways to beautify their landscape and manage rain on their
properties.
3.SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES
Ms. B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner, was in attendance and led a discussion on sub-
committees. The following updates were provided:
Item 5.1 – Energy Systems
With the departure of Ms. E. Skopec from the Committee, this item will need to be re-visited in
terms of filling the Sub-Committee vacancy.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 - 14 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3.SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES (CONT’D)
Item 7.2 – Community Environmental Improvement Grants (CEIG)
Ms. Steiner noted that this Sub-Committee also has a vacancy which will need to be re-visited
in the near future.
Item 1.1 – Kitchener Natural Areas Program
Councillor Y. Fernandes informed the group no meetings have occurred as of yet in relation to
this item.
Item 2.1 – Water Management Stewardship
Ms. Steiner recommended Ms. C. Gaetani and Mr. J. Jackson arrange a meeting with Mr. N.
Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility.
Item 3.1 – Anti-Idling Education
In regards to ‘green driving’ Ms. Steiner noted it would be prudent to arrange a meeting to
discuss initiatives, policies and best practices.
Item 4.1 – Kitchener Growth Management Strategy
Ms. Steiner advised the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy will be refreshed in 2018 and
will be brought back to the Committee for consideration.
Item 5.1 – Energy Systems
Ms. Steiner proposed the Sub-Committee connect with Ms. S. Brown, Senior Sustainability
Planner, in the next few months, to discuss Energy Systems and the relation to the Strategic
Plan for the Environment.
Item 7.1 – Environmental Events
The Sub-Committee recommended investing time now, to prepare for next year’s upcoming
events. Ms. Steiner suggested the Sub-Committee conduct research to determine which of the
currently scheduled events in Waterloo Region relate to the environment. She further
suggested obtaining a list from Mr. J. Young, Manager, Downtown Special Events, identifying
which City events would be prudent for Committee members to attend. Ms. K. Milicic
suggested instead of branding events as ‘Earth Day’ events, they should be framed as
‘Environmental’ events.
Item 7.2 – Community Environmental Improvement Grants (CEIG)
A discussion took place regarding the targeting of specific groups for the Community
Environmental Improvement Grants.
Councillor Y. Fernandes left the meeting at this time.
Item 7.3 – Green Festival Strategy
Mr. Jackson provided examples of festivals that exemplify green festival strategies, making
reference to the Hillside Community Festival. Suggestions were put forward for the Sub-
Committee to complete research on potential festivals to partner with, and Ms. Gaetani made
note she will email members of the Committee seeking volunteers to conduct research.
4.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Siobhan Delaney Jeff Bunn
Administrative Clerk Manager, Council and Committee Services/
Deputy Clerk