HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv Agenda - 2021-02-18
Environmental Committee
Agenda
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Department of Development
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Services
Kitchener City Hall Virtual Meeting
th
200 King St.W. 9 Floor
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
Page 1 Chair Mr. J. Gaudon Vice-Chair Ms. J. Duchesne
Due to COVID-19 and recommendations by Waterloo Region Public Health to exercise physical distancing,
City Hall is closed to the public. Members of public are invited to view this meeting electronically by
contacting the Committee Administrator.
While in-person delegation requests are not feasible at this time, written comments may be submitted, and
electronic participation can be facilitated by contacting Cody Boomer at Cody.Boomer@Kitchener.ca.
Delegates must register by 4:00p.m. on the business day prior to the meeting in order to participate
electronically. Written comments will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record.
Delegations
-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of 5
minutes.
None at this time
Discussion Items
1. New Kitchener Idling Control Bylaw (30 min)
Gloria MacNeil, Director of Bylaw Enforcement, Community Services
2. Stormwater Market Incentive Program (30 min)
Claire Bennett, Sustainability Officer, Development Services
Information Items
Region of Waterloo Community Environmental Fund 2021
Cody Boomer
Committee Administrator
** Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to
take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1866-969-9994 **
REPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:February8, 2021
SUBMITTED BY:Claire Bennett, Corporate Sustainability Officer, x7322
PREPARED BY:Sarah Fries, Sustainability Office Associate, x7137
WARD(S) INVOLVED:All
nd
DATE OF REPORT:January 22, 2021
REPORT NO.:DSD-21-021
SUBJECT:Stormwater Market Incentive Program
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT staff proceed with the development of a Market Incentive Program to encourage
implementation of source-control stormwater management practices on private properties
and report back to Council with recommended program details by December 2021.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to inform council on the statusandproposed approachof a
KitchenerStormwater Market Incentive Program (MIP) for private properties.
The Stormwater Utility has allocated capital funds towards the development and implementation
of a MIP.
A comprehensive communication and engagement plan to INFORM, CONSULT, and
COLLABORATE will be developed.
This report supports Environmental Leadership through disaster mitigation and improvements
to water quality and private-property runoff into the municipal system;Environmental Leadership
by implementing elements of the Corporate Climate Action Plan;A Caring Community in
improving green spaces and improving air and water quality;and A Vibrant Economy by
supporting local economic development.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener completed the 2016 Integrated Stormwater Management Master Plan (ISWM-MP), to
advance a -of-the-
that solving deficient stormwater infrastructure would need to be a joint effort among public and
private landowners since the majority of impervious surfaces generating stormwater run-off is
privately owned. One of the core projects includes the development and launch of a market-based
incentive for private landowners to install green infrastructure on their property to manage
stormwater at its source and reduce runoffinto the municipal stormwater system. A market-based
program is an important strategyto reduce flooding given that the majority of land in Kitchener is
owned privately.
Impacts from extreme precipitation eventsare substantial and wide-ranging, from surface water
flooding and heavy rainfall overloading the capacity of the drainage systemto increasing wind events
and temperatures hovering around zero in winter months.Regional climate impact studies on risk
and vulnerability show total annual precipitationis projected to increase 4-6% by the 2020s and 8-
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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12% in the 2050s-2080s, with a 20% intensification of rainfall events. Studies show that Kitchener
is particularly vulnerable to flooding given its highly urbanized built formandis one of the largest
urban and designated growth areas in Canada which alsorelies primarily on ground water (80%)for
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drinking water.
Presently, 75% of the City of Kitchener has no stormwater controlsandmore than half of this land
area isprivately-owned. As such,increasing the uptake of SCMson private property remains a
significant goal for stormwater management (SWM)programming. Through a market incentive
program, the City will leverage the market to shift behaviour and solutions towards resilient land
management practicesthat safeguard landowner assets against costly disaster responses, including
.
decreases.
Stormwater Credit program
The existingStormwaterCreditprogram will continue to operate as a supporting program within the
overall approach.Due to itslimited financial benefitto property owners,the uptake has been leveling
off and has not been expansive. As of 2020, 5%(4,317out of 78,848)of residential customers and
5%(125out of2,498) of non-residential customers implemented some on-site measures to reduce
stormwater runoff and pollutant loadings.
REPORT:
Market Incentive Program (MIP):AMarket-based Strategy
The MIP would deliver incentive through direct financial contribution towards amarket-supplierto
supplement added cost in going beyond traditional lot-level infrastructure solutions to implementing
SCMs (e.g., bioswales, porous pavers, dry riverbeds, increased vegetative cover, etc.) on privately
held property.
Guided by the ISWM-MP, the objective for a market-based approach is toprovide stimulus to
residents and local industry in supporting home and business expenses and economic development
during a time of heightened impacts from COVID-19 and climate change though a City-wide SWM
network. Following are some core goals:
Secure uptake of SCMs by private property ownersto help mitigate the immediate and long-
term effects of climate change;
Create adata driven program that leverages existing demographic data and flood mapping
for priority-based programming based on risk and accessibility (i.e. income and ability levels);
Integrate and coordinate related organizational policy and standards to improve shared
capacity;
Further diversify economic development through local partnerships, training and leadership;
Establish a City-wide system of integratedcentralized and distributed green and grey
stormwater infrastructure to achieve SWM goals at thegreatest cost-efficiency;and,
Achieve sustained transformation of the marketplace,wherein stormwaterrunoffreduction,
interactive community map to showcase progress and best practices.
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Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change & University of Waterloo (2015). Localized Climate Projections for Waterloo Region.
https://uwaterloo.ca/climate-centre/sites/ca.climate-
centre/files/uploads/files/waterloo_region_climate_projections_final_full_report_dec2015.pdf
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Service Provider Delivery Mechanism
Market-based programming leveragesindustry service and product providers as delivery agents.
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Landscaping related sectors have particular prominence aslarge, established and trustedproviders
who are regularly sought out and paid for by end-users. As a result, the industrygainsnew training
and services offeringsandresidents gain home beautification, supportand knowledge, which all
works tomagnifyits SWM and climate
change action objectives.
Designing an effective market-based program requires a foundationthat represents internal city
standards and procedures and a clear understandingofthe specific target audiences and the
provider marketplace (including landscape designers,driveway installers,landscapers, roofing and
waterproofing contractors, nurseryand garden centres, hardwarestoresand specialty retailers) that
servicesthem.The program will realize decliningstaffparticipation and costs over time as the
marketplace takes over (versus broad-based programs that require continued influx of City
resources to sustain the initiatives).
Priority Subwatersheds
The City has access to high-quality data through Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities, Parks and
Cemeteries and Geospatial Data and Analytics (GDA), ensuring the City is well positioned to develop
a data-driven, purpose-based MIP that strategically targets the areas of highest need. Forreducing
stormwater runoff, the market-based approach proposes to focus on private property owners in
highly urbanized subwatersheds where public property suitable for SCMs is limitedand land is
predominately privately owned.
TheISWM-Implementation Plan (2016) applied evaluation criteria (e.g., runoff and flood
mitigation, water quality, stream health, etc.) to order recommended undertakings based on priority
subwatersheds,categorized as Priority 1 through 4. Priority 1subwatersheds are highly urbanized
and require a composite of SWM actions to realize pollution prevention, flood mitigation, source
water protection, sediment and erosion control objectives. Subsequent hydrologic modeling efforts
refined and identified the top five areas (below) in the City requiring a suiteof SCMs, with an
emphasis on mitigation of runoff and flooding. With additional flooding-specific modeling recently
completed, the City will be able to further focus the program towards areas experiencing the most
significant impacts.
SubwatershedRanking
UpperSchneider
1
Creek
Montgomery Creek2
Shoemaker Creek3
Sandrock Creek4
Voisin Creek5
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Market research conducted with single-family homeowners, service and product providers, specifically gardencentres
Research conducted byFreeman Associates for Halton Region (2005), Toronto Region Conservation Authority (2006),
City of Mississauga (2008), and the City of Toronto(2009), Peel Region (2012, 2017), Credit Valley Conservation (2015),
City of Kitchener (2016), York Region (2017), and City of Waterloo (2019).
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Strategic Joint Ventures
Forming strategic joint ventures leverages expertise, provides economies of scale, enables
enhanced access to businesses,and identifies synergistic opportunities to deliver a cohesive
initiative with consistent and impactful marketing and promotion.
Internally, integrated management and implementation of ISWM-MP projects achieves the strategic
objectives of the City with greater impact and improved efficacy at lower cost than discrete
implementation.Internal alignment predominately includes Parks & Cemeteries and Geospatial Data
and Analytics, with collaboration opportunities withthe Neighbourhood Development Office and
Economic Development.
Externally, city staff will maintain the ongoing market incentive strategic joint venture with the City of
Waterloo and will engage other area municipalities and energy utilities who have launched similar
programs to builda comprehensive energy-water-stormwater demand-side management program.
Area service providers including contractors, designers, environmental non-profits, and horticultural
depots will be leveraged for install, administrative, promotional and engagement activities related to
the MIP. Staff will continue to explore opportunities for partnership with municipalities that have
implemented similar programming. The Regions of York and Peel, in partnership with Landscape
see Kitchener Utilities MIPwebpage for more information). The Fusion
program has been highly successful, and the groups are keen on expanding the program to other
jurisdictions,which would provide significant foundational materials, expertise and framework for
implementation and delivery of a made-in-Kitchener MIP.
The Opportunity: City Building & Sustainability
The programcomplementsother strategic work happening at the City, including urban forestry, road
and right-of-way improvements and park enhancements, DMAF work, and new trail and bike path
construction.In addition to the capital and operating efficienciesfrom leveraging economies of scale,
the directand indirect socialandenvironmental opportunities and impacts will be captured as part
of the work.The MIP supports urbanbeautification,quality of life,economic diversity, and
environmental sustainability for Kitchener residents. Thetransformativeapproachwillwork to ensure
the City meets SWM targets despite intensification of development, expanding upstream
urbanization,and increasing weather variability due to climate change.
Urban Beautification and Quality of Life
Investment in SWM and green infrastructure result in improvements of natural-based aesthetic,
positive health outcomes from improved air and water quality,enhanced recreational opportunities
and improved health of biodiversity. SWMprovides safeguardsagainst the negative impacts of
current and future flooding and extreme weather, including associated health and safety cases,
damage and disruption to property and infrastructure, erosion of streambanks and impairment of
water quality.
Economic Development & Diversity
While protecting owner assets and minimizing disruptions, a market approach supports residents
and businesses during a time of heightened need due to COVID-19 and climate change.
Compared to grey infrastructure, green infrastructure:
Provides a more affordable approach to SWM for the City and residents;
Providesmore accessible opportunities for local employment and business; and
Is more operating intensive and so supports job creation and circulatingmore investment
dollars within the local economy while improving property values.
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Environmental Sustainability
In addition to SWM, the MIPdirectlysupportsexisting City environmental initiatives:
Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy:By encouraging trees as a storm control, aco-benefit
of the MIPincludes contribution toincreasing the urban tree canopywhileproviding at-source
SWMimprovements, including greater maintenance of assets.
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Kitchener has committed to corporate and
regionalclimate change adaptation and mitigationplans.Green infrastructure supports:
o Adaptationenhanced adaptability and resiliency to extreme weather,improved
water and air quality, enhanced habitat and biodiversity for native species, and
reduced heat island effect,
o Mitigationcarbon sequestration,reduced/avoided emissions fromgrey
infrastructure.
Project Implementation
Timeline and milestones overview
TimelineMilestones
Completed to date
Data collection through extensive stormwater, urban forestry, and
GDA data
Research and benchmarking of best practices across
municipalities
Partnershipcreation; exploration ofstrategic joint ventures
opportunities; retained expert consultant to developroad map for
MIP development
February 2021
Program Overview to Council
February +
Program development
June 2021
Identification of preferred implementation plan and evaluation
criteria
Presentation to Corporate Leadership Team
September 2021
Program implementation blueprint, including selection of preferred
implementation plan and research findings
Presentation to Council
Remainder of 2021 and
Communications material development and implementation
Q1 (2022)
Service provider training
Q2 2022
Program launch via providers; public access to funding
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports:
Environmental Leadership by implementing elements of the Corporate Climate Action Plan,
Environmental Leadership by supporting the goals of the Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy
A Vibrant Economy by supporting local economic development.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
-year funding for the program, as outlined in the
10-year capital budget forecast.The primary use of funding will be for the storm-control infrastructure
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on private lands, with a portion of funding going towards internal program administration. Later in
2021, the recommended program will pe presented to council for consideration
The costs to develop the program in 2021 are estimated to be $285,000 for staff time associated
with program development and any technical studies required develop the program. Funding has
been allocated for this work in the approved capital budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
A suiteof tactics to INFORM, CONSULT, and COLLABORATE will be establishedand will include:
Consultation withlocal experts, service providers,community members in priority subwatersheds,
City staff (in particular those from Sustainability Office, SSU, Planning, Engineering and Geospatial
Data & Analytics), Council,the and Inclusionwilloccur in
2021 to develop the program.
INFORM
council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
INS-16-047 Stormwater Management Master Plan Final Report
INS 12-025 Stormwater Credit Policy Public Consultation Follow-up
INS 12-020 Stormwater Credit Program
INS 12-001 Stormwater Credit Program
APPROVED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
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Region of Waterloo
Community Environmental
Fund
Spring 2021 Application Funding Notes
Eligible Expendituresfor Community Environmental Fund projects:
1.Costs that are directly linked to, and are essential for, undertaking the proposed
initiative.
Examples:
Purchase of goods, services or land essential for carrying out the project
Fees for professionals, consultants, and contractors performing work
specifically for the project
Advertising to inform public of the project activity and promotional itemsfor
participants
Rental or purchase of equipment essential for conducting the project
Related costs for meetings held to obtain public consultation and gather
feedback from project stakeholders
2.All eligible expenditures must be supported by documentation (i.e. invoices or
receipts).
3.Note: Tangible items or goods purchased for a project (i.e. tools, equipment)
must be dedicated to the project for a minimum agreed upon term, failing which,
all or part of the grant funding may be deemed repayable to the Region.
IneligibleExpenditures for Community Environmental Fund projects:
1.Costs that are associated with ongoing business activity and not a specific
requirement of the proposed initiative.
Examples:
Scholarships
Document Number: 3536427
IF1 - 1
Retroactive fees
Ordinary office supplies,office furniture
Monthly telephone fees
Utilities
In-kind donations or volunteer time
Salaries of existing staff
Advertising that is a result of ongoing business activity
Travel and accommodation costs to attend conferences
Grant Limitations
All applications are subject to Regional Council approval and will be awarded only after
the Community Environmental Fund is approved as part of the annual Region of
Waterloo Budget process.
Maximum request of $25,000 per project, and $5,000 for research and education
projects.
Each applicant is only able to submit one grant application per funding cycle.
Multi-year grants may be considered when there is a direct benefit associated
with using that funding approach. A single application may be used to request
more than one year of funding, and may result in a staff recommendation for
funding that will be carried over into the next year/granting cycle(s). The
availability of funds for each year would continue to be dependent on Council
approval of the annual budget, aswell as Council approval of the annual
allotment of funds as part of the annual Community Environmental Fund Grants
review process.
Grant recipients interested in applying for another grant must first complete their
initial project, with a final report submitted to and approved by the Region, before
reapplying.
Projects dependent on additional funding from other sources must provide proof
approved CEF grant.
Additional Limitations forMunicipal/Agency Projects
Funding available for projects undertaken by municipalities and/or agencies is
capped at $10,000 per year, with a maximum number of two projects within a five
year period.
Project funding is contingent upon financial support fromat least two other
sources (e.g. other funding organizations, or in-kind donations from community
members).
Document Number: 3536427
IF1 - 2
Special Instructions for School Ground Greening Projects
The maximum grant request for a school ground greening projects is $3000.
o Schools with a comprehensive multi-year plan, with phased
implementation, may apply for a second grant in a subsequent year, to a
maximum of $2,000. The second grant must be for different elements of
Project funding is contingent upon financial support from at least two other
sources (e.g. other funding organizations, school community, or in-kind donations
from community members).
Funding cannot be applied to curriculum development or curriculum delivery
except where thespending supports the environmental stewardship, ecological
restoration, and broader public education goals of the Community Environmental
Fund or other environmental initiatives supported by the Region.
The following maximum cost formula will apply to the most common components
of school ground greening projects:
o$400 each -Large caliper trees (50 to 70 mm in diameter)
o$150 each -Armour-
o$50/yd3 or $65.40/m3-Mulch and soil
o Component costs higher than those specified above must be justified.
Tree planting should preferably be done to implement the results of a shade audit
of the school grounds.
Tentative Timeline for 2021
Council approval of funding for CEF: January 20, 2021
Applications due (on-line): March 5, 2021 (4:30 p.m.)
Staff recommendation of approved projects to Council: April 13, 2021
Council approval of recommended projects: April 21, 2021
Notification to successful applicants: April 22, 2021
Release of initial funding payment to successful applicants: Early-to mid-May
2021 (requires submission of EFT forms to Region for first time
funding recipients)
Document Number: 3536427
IF1 - 3