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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-03-04ENVY1992-03-04 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 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 M. Wagner, Alderman T. Galloway, Dr. J. Kay and Mr. J. Maine. Alderman C. Zehr, Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Alderman G.L. Leadston entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. B. Liddle, Mr. L. Gordon, Mr. D. Blain, Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. F. Graham, Mr. J. Shivas and Mr. L.W. Neil. Mr. L. Neil informed the Committee that Mr. Steve Cooke was unable to attend the meeting this date as he was in hospital. 1.GENERAL DISCUSSION Further to discussion at an earlier meeting, Mr. J. Maine commented that it was his understanding that various ideas respecting Citizen Initiatives would be included in each main functional area of the Strategic Plan. In response, Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Strategic Plan document had an education section wherein such matters could be included. Mr. C. Ford stated that the issue of public relations, publicity, etc. was intended to be done as a focus within one area. Mr. J. Maine indicated that a primary concern was that a vision statement and concrete ideas become part of the Strategic Plan document and that the document not become a purely technical publication. He strongly supported encouraging public involvement in various ways and as long as the intent was included in the Plan, it did not make any difference whether it was in one section or throughout the Plan. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that the Mission Statement of the Strategic Plan assigns the City with a leading role requiring it work in collaboration with the various parties. Alderman C. Zehr entered the meeting at this point. Alderman M. Wagner advised Committee members that at a previous meeting, he had been mandated to further consider the "Adopt A Highway Program" that he had proposed. In this regard, Alderman M. Wagner indicated that he had met with Messrs. F. Graham, T. Clancy and B. Stanley and advised that he should be able to file a report in approximately one month. However, he stated that the matter was not at a stage where it was advanced enough to take it to the community level. Mr. J. Maine commented that the Strategic Plan should conceptualize a Green Community and not just deal with City and technical issues. Dr. J. Kay stated that at this point he did not have a sense of what the Strategic Plan was going to look like. Alderman T. Galloway questioned where the comments of Mr. Maine would fit into the finished document. 2.MINUTES On motion by Alderman M. Wagner it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Environmental Committee held on February 5, 1992, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 3.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION (a)AMO response to Bill 143 - An Act respecting the Management of Waste in the Greater Toronto Area and to amend the Environmental Protection Act. The Committee was provided with an Executive Summary of a Policy Position of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario with regard to Provincial Bill 143. This legislation is an An Act introduced respecting the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 10 - MARCH 4, 1992 3.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION (CONT'D) Management of Waste in the Greater Toronto Area and to amend the Environmental Protection Act. Briefly, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and its member municipalities were concerned about quick introduction and passing of this Act because the legislation has serious financial and legislative implications for all Ontario municipalities. Further, the provincial government had not consulted with municipalities before Bill 143 was introduced and if it had been passed in the planned time-frame, municipalities would not have had an opportunity to comment on it. As a result, the matter was being heard in a public hearing forum and AMO prepared a detailed response to issues of concern for presentation to the provincial government. (b)Municipal Transportation Energy and Efficiency Advisory Committee Newsletter. An MTEAC Newsletter was attached to the agenda which discussed the "Adopt A Highway: An Ontario Perspective" Program. Priorities and methods of operation were discussed and it was indicated that the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has organized trial projects to see what type of approach would work best for this Province rather than just duplicating the program as administered in the United States. (c)Car Dependence - Conference on Auto-Free Cities The Committee was provided with notice of a conference on Auto-Free Cities entitled "Car Dependence; Costs, Causes and Cures" which is being held at the University of Toronto, May 22-24, 1992. 4. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES (ICLEI) (a)Kitchener Membership in ICLEI The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum dated February 14, 1992 from Mr. S. Klapman advising that as requested at the Committee's February 5th meeting, he had contacted the ICLEI and spoke to the Secretary-General to determine if there were any additional cost implications for the City of Kitchener should it become a member. Mr. Klapman advised that the ICLEI provides a fundamental service for the support and development of an in house environmental consultant. The municipality can then determine to what degree it chooses to become involved in networking and liaison on environmental matters and therefore become as active as it wished to in order to meet our own needs. He also advised that the ICLEI provides a training program and will shortly be establishing a North American facility which the City could chose to use as it sees fit. Mr. L. Neil advised the Committee that Mr. S. Cooke had requested that it be conveyed that he fully supported the City taking membership in the ICLEI. On motion by Mr. J. Maine, it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and authorize expenditure of $1,500 (U.S. funds) membership fee." (b)Appointment of Eco-Counselor and Work Requirements The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum dated February 13, 1992 from Mr. C. Ford summarizing the work requirements of the municipal contact person or Eco-Counselor designated to liaise with the ICLEI on behalf of the City. Mr. Ford commented on the effect that the appointment would have on his existing position under three scenarios. It was pointed out that the volume of work could be tailored to the City's wishes as follows: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 11 - MARCH 4, 1992 4. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES (CONT'D). i)At a minimum level of involvement, work would be limited to information collection and transfer. ii)At the next level, active participation would take place in environmental issues, with the Eco-Counselor having the knowledge and training to be an advisor to all City Departments. iii) At the highest level, an active role could be taken by the Eco-Counselor in the ICLEI organization. Mr. Ford pointed out that his role in (i) above could be undertaken with very little impact on his present position. However, a role under (ii) above was unrealistic on top of his existing responsibilities. Dr. J. Kay referred to Ontario Waste Reduction Reduction Targets and noted that the Regulations accompanying this program will follow the same scenario and have the same impact as occurred when energy legislation was introduced. He commented that a full scale work program would be necessary to meet required deadline dates. Mr. S. Gyorffy agreed that the amount of work involved would be significant and involve a detailed audit and the setting and monitoring of specific waste reduction goals. The Committee requested that Mr. S. Gyorffy bring this matter to the attention of the City's Management Committee for its consideration. Mayor D.V. Cardillo and Alderman G.L. Leadston entered the meeting at this point. Mr. L. Neil advised that Mr. S. Cooke supports Mr. C. Ford accepting the basic responsibilities of Eco- Counselor on the understanding that the position would growth in concert with the City's Environmental Program. On motion by Dr. J. Kay, it was resolved: "That Mr. C. Ford be designated as the City's Eco-Counselor (EC) to liaise with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and that his EC work involvement be limited to information collection and transfer." 5.ENVIRONMENTAL PARK Alderman T. Galloway commented on the "Copper Trust" and a proposal to develop a building and property in the City of Cambridge where many manufacturers would have their environmental products on display. He noted that their purpose was to show environmental achievements and related products and develop Waterloo Region into a leading environmental centre. It was suggested that Alderman T. Galloway supply additional information on this matter in order that correspondence could be sent to obtain more detail on this initiative. 6.EARTH WALK PROJECT -VICTORIA PARK At the Committee's February 5th meeting, the Environmental Lifestyles Fair and an alternate Earth Walk Project were discussed. Mr. J. Maine confirmed to the Committee that an Environmental Lifestyles Fair in Victoria Park should be considered defunct. Mr. F. Graham pointed out that he understood various Earth Day Projects were being proposed and asked that the Committee question if it wished someone to do something for this occasion. It was noted that at its February 5th meeting, the Committee supported the request of Ms. Gina Holstead that monies budgeted for the Environmental Lifestyles Fair be reallocated to the Earth Walk Project in Victoria Park. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 12 - MARCH 4, 1992 6.EARTH WALK PROJECT - VICTORIA PARK (CONT'D). The Committee pointed out that if the proponents of the Earth Walk Project desire financial support, they should be advised to submit a grant application to the appropriate Standing Committee. 7.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES Dr. J. Kay questioned the scope of the Strategic Plan document. Mr. B. Stanley advised that at the last committee meeting, the first 2 Components in regard to the approach to prioritization had been tabled, discussed and a revised approach had been agreed upon. Mr. Stanley reminded the Committee that the Mission Statement and Underlying Philosophy would accompany detailed information on each main functional area, which would each relate to Prioritization Tables that have been prepared for consideration by the Committee. Dr. Kay questioned what plans there were for an explanation of Implementation and Mr. Stanley advised that to some extent, each Table addresses Implementation. He indicated that the question of the Implementation Plan and integration into the City's processes would had to be clearly spelled out. (a)Prioritization of Initiatives At the Environmental Committee meeting of February 5, 1992, it was decided on the suggestion of James Kay to prioritize initiatives on the basis of three levels. These levels are described as follows: Level 1 Priorities -are already being done, are an expansion or extension of an existing initiative, are imminent, or -are already committed to by Council, are mandatory or are legislated, or -are given a sense of urgency or immediacy, or -any additional resources (time, staff, capital) have or will be made available, or -no additional resources (time, staff, capital) will be required Level 2 Priorities -are just as important as Level 1 priorities but cannot be implemented without some commitment of additional resources, or -must be taken through normal budget procedures and weighed against existing work programs Level 3 Priorities -are deemed to be less important than Level 1 or 2 initiatives and have no real sense of urgency attached, or -require a large commitment in terms of staff or capital which cannot be justified in the short term There will be no prioritization within each of the three levels. Each initiative within each level will be regarded as equally important and will be categorized by its main functional area. (b)Strate.qic Priorities i)Water Resources. ii)Waste Management. iii) Land Resource. The Committee considered the priorities suggested by staff in respect to the above areas and agreed to minor revisions, addition of information and shifting of some priorities between the 3 Priority Classification levels. was requested that the title of Main Functional Areas be included in the Tables for better comprehension. Mr. C. Ford commented that once the Strategic Plan was approved, it would be necessary to involve a large number of staff on the projects and plans requiring action or preparation. Under Waste Management, it was noted that the City of Toronto has anti-CFC Legislation and Mr. C. Ford was requested to ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 13 - MARCH 4, 1992 7.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES (CONT'D). obtain information in this regard to be considered relative to the City's 1993 budget. Also, under Land Resource, it was requested that staff review tree saving policies and obtain a copy of a municipal by-law that would regulate tree cutting on private property. It was requested that all the remaining topics to be prioritized be brought to the Committee's next meeting. 8.NEXT MEETING - APRIL 8, 1992 It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, April 8, 1992 at 4:00 p.m. 9.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk