HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv Minutes - 2018-05-17
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 17, 2018 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. C. Gaetani - Chair
Messrs. J. Gray, J. Jackson, and E. Saxon, and Ms. E. Kelly, K. Milicic, and T.
Belanger.
Staff: B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forestry Project Manager
J. Rodrigues, Committee Administrator
1.PRESENTATION - ALL COMMITTEES MEETING INVITATION
Mr. Adam Hammoud, Compass Kitchener, presented an invitation to the Committee members
on behalf of Compass Kitchener for the All Committees Meeting scheduled for June 21, 2018.
2.KITCHENER’S SUSTAINABLE URBAN FOREST STRATEGY (DRAFT)
The Committee was in receipt this date of an internal memo entitled “Draft Sustainable Urban
Forestry Strategy”, dated May 2, 2018 and a draft document entitled “It’s a Tree’s Life:
Kitchener’s Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy 2019-2039” regarding Kitchener’s first urban
forest strategy.
Mr. D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager, provided an overview of the
Draft Urban Forest Strategy, noting the results from Kitchener’s 2017 sustainable urban forest
report card and the community engagement process completed to date. He identified five key
themes gathered from the community and Council during the engagement process. He further
noted the five key branches of a sustainable urban forest that include action items for
implementation:
1. plan first, the cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient urban forest;
2. engage often and widely, building critical support, collaboration and stewardship;
3. maintain proactively, to increase health, longevity and resiliency;
4. protect prudently, to maintain and maximize what we already have; and,
5. plant correctly and deliberately, ensuring future generations a vibrant and resilient tree
canopy.
Mr. Schmitt advised the public review process of the draft strategy began on May 7, 2018 and
will end on June 29, 2018, noting staff will integrate feedback received into the final strategy,
which will be considered by Council in early 2019. He further noted staff are creating an
implementation plan that includes budget and action items that will also be brought forward for
Council’s approval in early 2019.
The Environmental Committee was asked if they had any questions or feedback on the draft
strategy:
The Environmental Committee suggested consideration be given to the follow items:
the type of trees that are desirable to homeowners to achieve greater success in the
uptake of the incentive program;
creating a short-term communications plan;
alternatives for reusing the wood from cut down trees; and
redesigning streets in Downtown Kitchener to plant mature trees.
3.SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES
Ms. C. Gaetani led a discussion on the various Sub-Committees. The following updates were
provided:
Item 1.2 – Bee City Kitchener Working Group
Ms. E. Kelly provided the Committee with an update on Bee City Kitchener Working Group’s
initiatives and advised the next meeting will be held June 24, 2018.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 17, 2018 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3.SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES (CONT’D)
Item 7.1 – Environmental Events
Ms. C. Gaetani advised Earth Day was a successful event, noting those in attendance from the
Environmental Committee assisted in planting trees.
4.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
Jaclyn Rodrigues
Committee Administrator