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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05-06ENVY1992-05-06 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 6, 1992 The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman C. Weylie with the following members present: Alderman T. Galloway, Alderman M. Wagner, Dr. J. Kay, Mr. S. Cooke and Mr. J. Maine. Alderman C. Zehr entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. B. Liddle, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. L. Gordon and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1.MINUTES On motion by Dr. J. Kay it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Environmental Committee held on April 8, 1992, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION (a)lnternational Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) The Committee received letters dated April 6th and 15th respectively from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The first letter deals with the City submission to the U.N. Local Government Honours Programme and advises that Kitchener's submission was not selected as one of the 25 semi-finalists now being further reviewed by an international panel of experts. The second letter expresses thanks from the Council to the City for becoming a Member of the international environmental agency for local governments. Mr. C. Ford advised that he has received the first information package and back dated publications from the ICLEI as a result of the City taking membership in that organization. (b)Environment Canada A copy of a letter dated April 14, 1992 from Environment Canada was provided to the Committee that knowledges our nomination for this year's Environmental Achievement Awards and advises that information concerning the winners and finalists will be provided in early June, shortly after the awards ceremony has taken place. (c)Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Committee was provided with a copy of a News Release dated March 31, 1992 sponsored by both the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs concerning the Province seeking comment on Municipal Waste Management. (d)Kitchener & Waterloo Chambers of Commerce - Environmental Achievement Awards Dinner - June 2, 1992. The Committee was advised that no additional information has been received from the Chambers relative to discussion that took place at the Committee's last meeting. 3.DELEGATION - GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY RE FISH STENCILLING ON STORM DRAINS. Ms. Trish Nash, Biologist, Grand River Conservation Authority, appeared as a delegation relative to a proposal to undertake Fish Stencilling On Storm Drains. She submitted a letter to the Committee that explained the proposed undertaking by approximately 300 brownies and their families that would stencil a small fish (11 x 17 cm) on curbs adjacent to storm drains to educate the public about the impacts of pouring oil and other chemicals down storm drains. Two locations are involved, a portion of ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - 18 - MAY 6, 1992 MINUTES 3.DELEGATION - GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY RE FISH STENCILLING ON STORM DRAINS. (CONT'D) Laurel Creek near Waterloo City Hall and a portion of Strasburg Creek in Kitchener in the area southwest of Huron Road/Homer Watson Boulevard and Doon Village Road. In Kitchener, she noted that the Strasburg Creek Rehabilitation Project was being done in co-operation with the Doon Pioneer Park Community Association and the Southwest Optimist Club. The project would utilize environmentally friendly paint and the surrounding neighbourhoods would receive a flyer explaining the purpose of the project. Mr. Steve Cooke indicated that he would be willing to participate in the project as a representative of the Kitchener Environmental Committee. Alderman C. Zehr entered the meeting at this point. Mr. B. Liddle advised the Committee that Ms. Nash had fully discussed the proposal with him and staff had no objection. Alderman T. Galloway advised that on Saturday, June 13th at 2:00 p.m., a walk has been planned through part of the Strasburg Creek watershed and that promotion of this event would be taking place. By general consent, the Committee supported the Storm Drain Marking Program. 4.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES (a)Energy Systems. (b)Resource Consumption. The Committee considered the priorities suggested by staff in respect to the Energy Systems topic and Resource Consumption topic and agreed to minor revisions and addition of information to the three priority classification levels outlined in the tables attached to each topic. Under the Energy Systems topic, lengthy discussion took place on energy issues respecting water, electricity and gas. Questions were raised concerning what powers or controls the Municipality has within the Building Code to require/achieve better efficiencies. Mr. C. Ford indicated that he would investigate the matter and report. Alderman M. Wagner suggested that the City as an employer consider the question of providing incentives to City staff to leave their cars at home through initiatives such as car pooling, free transit or trade-off of some free parking when bicycles have been taken to work at most other times. Mr. C. Ford indicated that these concepts could be added as a level one priority and further reviewed. Dr. J. Kay requested the Committee be provided with a synopsis of what control the City has over the Building Code. In regard to the Official Plan/Zoning By-law, Alderman M. Wagner suggested that all buildings should be required to provide an area for bicycle parking and bicycle racks. Under the Resource Consumption topic, a revised page 51 and 52 was distributed and after discussion, the following additions were made to page 51: 1)Add "and products which are produced using renewable resources" to number 2 of Overall Program Priorities. 2)Add "1.4 Buy renewable products" to Strategic Priorities By Key Activity Area. General discussion of the Committee brought out comments on the following matters: -The need to document situations requiring price trade-offs. -Consider "adopt a program" and a method to implement and administer. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 19 - MAY 6, 1992 4.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES. (CONT'D) -When would the City involve the public in these environmental initiatives and how the Strategic Plan document could facilitate public involvement and direct action on the part of the public. Mr. S. Klapman commented that the Strategic Plan was an instrument to address operations of the City within its corporate identity under its terms of reference approved by City Council. Dr. J. Kay suggested that the Environmental Committee should consider commenting on the Official Plan Review in regards to what it would like the Community to look like after 25 years. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the time to do so was from now until the end of June. Dr. Kay referred to the vision of a green city and questioned how this could be put into focus and addressed. Reference was made to a special meeting being held on June 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to discuss a vision for the City and Alderman C. Weylie indicated that she could bring forth the three proposed revisions advanced at the Region. 5.NEXT MEETINGS - JUNE 3, 1992 It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, June 3, 1992 commencing at 4:00 p.m. 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk