HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv Minutes - 2018-03-15
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2018 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:03 p.m.
Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair
Messrs. J. Jackson and E. Saxon, and Ms. T. Driver, K. Milicic, S. Dankert, and
T. Belanger.
Staff: B. Sloan, Manager, Long Range & Policy Planning
N. Gollan, Manager, Stormwater Utility
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
S. Brickman, Design & Construction Project Manager
J. Rodrigues, Committee Administrator
S. Delaney, Administrative Clerk
1.2017-2018 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG)
The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘2018 Community Environmental
Improvement Grants (CEIG)’, dated February 26, 2018, summarizing the 2018 CEIG Sub-
Committee recommendation; and, a memorandum entitled ‘2018 Community Environmental
Improvement Grant (CEIG) - Funding Update’ providing an update on the 2018 CEIG budget.
Mr. Louis Silcox, Developing Environmental Advocates and Researchers (DEAR), provided an
overview of their CEIG application, noting they were requesting $500, for a CO2 Simulation
Group Activity, where students will investigate reducing the community’s CO2 footprint by 80
percent. He indicated the funding would help their group with printing the simulation board. He
noted this project is intended to develop environmental researchers for the future sustainability
of our community.
Ms. Stacey Mitchell, KW Habilitation, addressed the Committee in support of their CEIG grant
application. She advised the grant would help support a 9-week course from April to June,
2018 where students from KW Habilitation and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate will learn about
KW Habilitation Our Farm and Green Thumbs programs, gardening basics, and the benefits of
horticultural therapy. She further stated the students will be responsible for the planting of
seeds, preparing trugs, transplanting the seedlings, watering and managing any pests or other
concerns. She noted the grant request for $2275.00 would fund four trug systems, soil for the
trugs, seeds, transplant flats, pots, and covers for the trugs. In response to questions, Ms.
Mitchell confirmed the grant money would be spent at the Kitchener location.
Mr. Keenan Reimer-Watts, Busking for Change, addressed the Committee in support of the
grant request for $3000. to help support a fundraising campaign piloting ‘text-to-donate’
software. He stated the funds raised through the software will be for local environmental
organizations. He advised the grant would assist with expenses related to graphic designing,
the printing of promotional materials, a performing arts database, and the implementation of
the ‘text-to-give’ software. He noted 12 artists have committed to performing and Reep Green
Solutions expressed their support for the project thus far. He further noted this project has the
potential to become national or international in scope with monetary returns far outweighing the
investment with the ‘text-to-donate’ software and fundraising network. In response to
questions, he indicated once the CEIG grant amount was finalized he would contact other
environmental organizations.
Mr. Adam Kramer, KW Working Centre, provided an overview of their CEIG application, noting
the request of $3000. would assist with hosting a Sustainable Gardening Workshop Series,
which are intended to build the community’s environmental awareness. He advised the
workshops would be available every Friday afternoon and open to all members of the
community at no cost between May and October, 2018. He noted the Hacienda Sarria Market
Garden hosts over 150 volunteers and several interns each season, adding it produces over
10,000 pounds of local food, which is sold to the wider community. He advised the grant would
help support the cost of workshop materials, curriculum development, intern honorariums, and
marketing and awareness materials.
In response to questions, Mr. Kramer advised the Working Centre is hoping to engage a
minimum of 10 community participants per workshop.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2018 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER
1.2017-2018 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) (CONT’D)
Ms. S. Dankert provided the Committee with an overview of the CEIG Sub-Committee’s
recommendations, noting all, with the exception of one application, was in compliance with the
Terms of Reference of the CEIG program this year. She noted there is additional grant funding
that has been carried forward from previous years.
A motion was brought forward by Mr. Jackson to approve the Sub-Committee
recommendations as outlined in the memo.
It was suggested and agreed by the Committee to carry forward $5,000. to the grant reserve
for 2019.
The C97ommittee was advised there is a surplus of $1,500. that has not been allocated in
2018.
It was suggested and agreed by the Committee, that the remaining $1,500. should be allocated
as follows: $750. to KW Habilitation and $750. to DEAR.
Mr. J. Jackson brought forward an amendment to include a conditional approval for Busking for
Change to require the applicant to become a non-profit group or communities of interest, as
outlined in Council Policy I-590, entitled ‘Grant Program – Community Environmental
Improvement’, prior to receiving the grant funding.
Ms. Dankert declared a pecuniary interest with respect to the Busking for Change grant as she
is the director of Waterloo Region Environmental Network (WREN), which may be an
organization supported through the Busking for Change fundraising campaign. Accordingly,
she did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter.
The Busking for Change grant, as amended, was then voted on and Carried.
On motion by Mr. J. Jackson –
it was resolved:
“That the total of $13,000. from the Community Environmental Improvement capital
account be awarded as follows:
$3,000. to Busking for Change grant for a local fundraising campaign piloting
‘text-to-donate’ software in during the summer 2018 conditional upon the
applicant obtaining community of interest or not-for-profit status;
$2,000. to K-W Working Centre for a Sustainable Gardening Workshop Series;
$1,750. to KW Habilitation and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate for an inclusive
agricultural-based in class and hands on learning opportunity;
$1,250. to Waterloo-Wellington Science & Engineering Fair – DEAR: Developing
Environmental Advocates and Researchers for a CO2 Simulation Group Activity;
and further,
$5,000. - that the unused balance be carried forward to the 2019 Community
Environmental Improvement Grant program.”
2.5-YEAR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (SWM) REPORT CARD AND RESULTS OF 2017
STORMWATER (SWM) MONITORING PROGRAM
The Committee considered a memorandum entitled ‘5-Year SWM Report Card & Results of
the 2017 SWM Monitoring Program’, dated February 22, 2018. The Committee was in receipt
this date of information materials entitled ‘2011-2015 Report Card: Kitchener’s Stormwater
Management Program’. Mr. N. Gollan and Ms. S. Brickman were in attendance to respond to
questions from the Committee.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2018 - 5 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2.5-YEAR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (SWM) REPORT CARD AND RESULTS OF 2017
STORMWATER (SWM) MONITORING PROGRAM (CONT’D)
Mr. D. Arseneau, GHD Group, presented an overview of the 5-Year Stormwater Management
(SWM) Report Card, noting the Report Card summarizes the overall stream-health based on
the results of the annual monitoring program. He provided a summary of the four components
within the Report Card, which includes the physical, chemical, and biological health of the
City’s streams and an assessment of the overall SWM effectiveness. He indicated over the
next 5 years, the City will be working to implement the recommendations outlined in the
recently developed Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan. Mr. Arseneau provided a
brief background on the Stormwater Management Monitoring Program, stating the revised
monitoring program, derived from the Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan, will
begin in 2019. He explained the four station types and provided a brief overview of monitoring
program results in 2017. He further outlined the recommendations for the 2018 and 2019
programs and advised staff were in attendance this date to receive feedback on the SWM
Report Card pamphlet that will be included as a bill insert. The Committee provided staff with a
number of suggestions regarding content that can be incorporated in the pamphlet.
Mr. Arseneau advised the Committee can provide additional feedback via email to Mr. Gollan.
3.SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES
Item 2.1 - Water Management Stewardship
The Committee was in receipt this date of information materials regarding the Water
Management Stewardship Sub-Committee’s conference call with Mr. N. Gollan and Ms. L.
Cooper, which included options for the Committee to support the work of the City’s stormwater
and low impact development programs. Mr. J. Jackson requested the Committee members
review the materials prior to the next Environmental Advisory Committee meeting on April 19,
2018.
Item 7.1 - Environmental Events
Ms. T. Driver provided an update on the Sub-Committee’s plans for Earth Day, noting the date
has been confirmed for April 28, 2018. She indicated the Sub-Committee is considering
collaborating with the City of Waterloo’s Laurel Creek Citizens Working Group to assist with
tree planting on Earth Day. The Committee suggested engaging Earth Day participants
through public outreach initiatives that provide information about volunteer committees or
stormwater management.
5.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Jaclyn Rodrigues
Committee Administrator