HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-16
Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair
Councillor Y. Fernandes, Messrs. J. Gray and E. Saxon and Ms. L. Bourassa, Ms. T.
Driver, Ms. S. Danckert, Ms. T. Belanger and Ms. E. Skopec.
Staff: N. Golan, Manager, Stormwater Utility
M. Wilson, Design & Construction Project Manager
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk
1.2016 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MONITORING PROGRAM
The Committee considered a presentation entitled “City of Kitchener: 2016 Stormwater
Management (SWM) Monitoring Program Results” dated January 31, 2017, regarding the 2016
SWM Monitoring Program results and recommendations for the 2017 SWM Monitoring
Program. Messrs. N. Gollan and M. Wilson were in attendance to respond to questions from
the Committee.
Mr. David Arseneau, GHD, presented the 2016 Stormwater Management Monitoring Program,
advising the overall goal of the Program is to characterize system health and asses the
effectiveness of the City’s stormwater infrastructure. He stated the City has been undertaking
stormwater management monitoring annually since 2002, which has included: chemical/water
quality monitoring; biological monitoring, including fisheries and benthics; and, the
incorporation of additional City monitoring programs such as the permeable pavers recently
installed at the Huron Natural Area. He provided an overview of the chemical/water quality
monitoring, including sampling parameters, station types and historical trends. Mr. Arseneau
stated as part of the 2016 monitoring program, the Permeable Paver Lot installed at the Huron
Natural Area was also monitored for two components, being effective infiltration and
continuous subsurface water level monitoring; both were cited as promising for Low Impact
Development (LID). He further advised the 2017-2018 Program recommendations include:
establishing three flow proportionate monitoring sites each year; establishing non-flow
proportionate monitoring sites at those sites where EMC’s have been established through
previous monitoring efforts; evaluating water quality results on an ordinal scale; and, continuing
to follow the guidance established in the 2016 Integrated Stormwater Management Master
Plan (ISWM-MP).
In response to questions regarding rising levels of chloride, Mr. Wilson advised the Region of
Waterloo has identified areas within the City as wellhead protection areas and established
vulnerability scores within those areas to protect groundwater resources from contamination.
He noted with regards to these vulnerability areas, there are greater development control
requirements recognizing the need to protect the municipality’s drinking water source. He
further advised the City does not monitor groundwater, adding that would fall within the
Region’s jurisdiction.
Questions were raised regarding phosphorus concentrations, noting areas within the urban
core are noticeably higher than other areas within the City. Mr. Gollan advised the results
typically trend higher in areas where there are little to no stormwater controls, noting the
ISWM-MP has identified those areas and has rated them higher priority for the installation of
stormwater management systems.
Councillor Y. Fernandes questioned whether any of the data collected through the monitoring
program was used for proactive decision-making rather than reactive. Mr. Gollan advised the
monitoring program helped to inform the ISWM-MP, as well as the implementation of the
Master Plan, in identifying and prioritizing projects for completion.
Questions were raised regarding LID standards and whether staff were reviewing potential
incentives for homeowners to install stormwater management solutions, such as permeable
REPORT
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-16-080
recommending approval of the Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan (ISWM-MP).
In addition the Committee was in receipt this date of an implementation schedule and budget
forecast for the ISWM-MP.
Mr. N. Golan presented the Report, advising the City of Kitchener ISWM-MP was completed
and endorsed by City Council on May 30, 2016. Following completion of the ISWM-MP, an
implementation plan developed six (6) stormwater management program elements within the
ISWM-MP to address:
1) Municipal Pollution Prevention, Operations and Maintenance Practices;
2) Market Based Strategies for Private Property (source controls);
3) Stormwater for the Capital Roads Program (conveyance controls):
4) Stormwater Management Facilities;
5) Watercourse and Erosion Restoration; and,
6) Urban Flood Management and Stormwater Infrastructure.
Mr. Golan provided an overview of the implementation schedule and budget forecast, which
considers three implementation periods: Immediate Term Implementation Priorities (2017-
2021); Medium Term Implementation Priorities (2022-2025); and, Long Term Implementation
Priorities (2026-2030). He added the ISWM-MP provides an overview of the work required for
completion within the next 15 years, with the use of additional staff resources.
Mr. Golan outlined the Stormwater Management volume criteria and targets, noting the
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) continues to increase the
requirements for managing stormwater. He provided an overview of the existing targets, noting
property owners will be required to retain a minimum of 12.5mm of runoff on-site to participate
in the City of Kitchener Stormwater Utility Credit program. He further advised the MOECC is
anticipated to release a LID Stormwater Management Guidance Manual sometime in 2017,
which is likely going to increase the retention guideline beyond the 12.5mm.
In response to questions, Mr. Gollan advised any development approvals issued prior to
January 1, 2017 would be subject to the rules/guidelines in place at the time of their request.
He indicated any approvals requested after that date would be subject to the new stormwater
management guidelines. Ms. B. Steiner advised the only residential developments that would
be exempt from needing Site Plan approval are single detached dwellings and duplexes.
Questions were raised regarding possible Environmental Committee participation, specifically
related to the Set-up Market Base Strategy as outlined on the ISWM-MP implementation
schedule. Mr. Gollan acknowledged the idea, noting funding is not available in the
implementation schedule until 2020 for the Strategy; however, staff welcomed suggestions
from the Committee on how to promote the ISWM-MP.
3.2017/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE DRAFT WORK PLAN DISCUSSION
The Committee was in receipt this date of the 2017-2018 Environmental Committee Work
Plan. Ms. B. Steiner advised the Work Plan establishes core projects to be pursued over the
coming term, including: Kitchener Natural Areas Program; Kitchener Growth Management
Strategy; and, Earth Day Organizing Committee.
Ms. C. Gaetani advised that in preparation of the meeting this date, she emailed members to
gather suggestions on possible areas of focus for the Work Plan, which include but are not
limited to: a garbage pick-up program; programs for tree planning; participation in Earth Day;
and, a focus on awareness and education.
identified in white are ones that the Committee will need to review to determine if they are still
relevant and should be included on the 2017/2018 Work Plan.
The Committee discussed the Work Plan in detail, noting the following:
Item 1.1, related to the Kitchener Natural Areas Program - can be removed, noting
Councillor Y. Fernandes is a member of the Committee and can advise the Committee
when relevant information should be shared;
Item 4.1, related to the Kitchener Growth Management Strategy - can remain on the
Work Plan as an item of interest of the Committee, acknowledging that staff will bring it
before the Committee when appropriate to receive Member feedback;
Items 5.1 and 6.2 related to Green Development Standards - can remain and be
combined as the two items are similar in nature;
Item 6.1 regarding the development of a green purchasing policy – the item can remain
at this time, noting it would likely require information-gathering in its initial stages of
completion; and,
Items 7.1 and 7.2 related to planning an Earth Day/Environmental event – it was noted
the item can remain on the Work Plan. Several Members expressed interest with
planning an event that promotes environmental awareness, noting the possibility of
attending an already scheduled festival/event where the Committee could host an event
or promote environmental awareness on behalf of the organizers. In addition a
suggestion was made to develop a sub-committee dedicated to planning events.
Ms. B. Steiner noted she would incorporate the feedback received this date into the draft Work
Plan for consideration at the March 16, 2017 Environmental Committee meeting. She indicated
it may be more appropriate to finalize the draft further before opening the floor for volunteers to
begin undertaking the various Work Plan items. In response to questions, Ms. Steiner advised
staff would endeavour to provide additional time for the Work Plan discussion on the next
Committee agenda. In addition, she stated she would further investigate the possibility of
obtaining T-Shirts for the Committee, to assist in identifying Members at Earth
Day/Environmental events if the Committee still wishes to undertake such an initiative.
Ms. C. Gaetani encouraged any members having additional feedback to forward their
suggestions via email to Barbara Steiner at barbara.steiner@kitchener.ca.
4.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Dianna Saunderson Siobhan Delaney
Committee Administrator Administrative Clerk