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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-04-08ENVY1992-04-08 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 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 G.L. Leadston, Alderman M. Wagner, Mr. S. Cooke, Mr. J. Maine and Dr. J. Kay. 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. Sleeth, Mr. C. Ford and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1.MINUTES On motion by Alderman M. Wagner it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Environmental Committee held on March 4, 1992, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2.BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES Mr. J. Maine raised concern regarding the role of citizens in the Strategic Plan in that the Plan did not articulate their involvement and that at this point had not been directly addressed. Alderman M. Wagner commented that part of Mr. Maine's concern was being addressed through the "Adopt a .... ......... Program". Alderman C. Zehr entered the meeting at this point. Mr. L. Masseo pointed out that the purpose of the Strategic Plan was that it be a management plan for the Corporation of the City of Kitchener to guide development of Corporate Environmental Programs. He noted that the plan document identifies the corporations in-house resources and when proposed programs could begin to be addressed. Dr. J. Kay stressed the importance of involving people in the process and recommended that an additional section entitled "Community Initiatives and Participation" be added to the plan. Mr. S. Klapman suggested that the concern raised by Mr. Maine relates to a question of process and that the Committee had yet to deal with such process. Mr. Maine felt that the City should have a role to encourage and facilitate citizens taking direct action on their own and that a statement to this effect should be included in the Underlyin.q Philosophy. Alderman C. Weylie questioned if the City had a staff member that citizens/groups who wish to assist in environmental matters could call upon. Mr. B. Sleeth advised that they could contact either himself or Parks Operations for assistance. Following further discussion, it was agreed that revision would be made to the points in the Philosophy of the Strategic Plan so as to provide reference to the City willingly facilitating citizen participation in the Strategic Plan. 3.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION (a)Kitchener & Waterloo Chambers of Commerce - Environmental Achievement Awards Dinner - June 2, 1992. The Committee considered a letter dated March 5, 1992 from the Kitchener & Waterloo Chambers of Commerce respecting an Environmental Awards Dinner and an invitation that the City be a founding sponsor of this event. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Chairman write to the Chamber expressing the Committee's congratulations for their initiative and to question how the City would nominate someone for an Award and to discuss the concept of the Chamber designating a City of Kitchener Award to an individual/community group/community association in future years. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -15- APRIL 8, 1992 3.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION (CONT'D) Alderman M. Wagner noted that he would bring this matter to the attention of the Twin City Committee. (b)"An Ontario 'Town Hall Meeting' on Environmental, Development, Society: Now and In The Future" - Heritage Resources Centre, University of Waterloo - April 28 - May 2, 1992. The Committee was in receipt of a letter dated March 17, 1992 from the Conference Convenor of the above referenced event. (c)lnternational Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - Newsletter. A newsletter from the ICLEI was provided for the Committee's information. (d)Advertisement - Earth Week - Monday, April 20 - Sunday, April 26, 1992. A copy of an advertisement placed by the City in the K-W Record on March 13, 1992 relative to Earth Week celebrations was provided for the Committee's information. (e)World Urban Forum - Curitiba, Brazil - May 27 - 29, 1992. A copy of an undated letter from the Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil and general information relative to the World Urban Forum being held in Curitiba was provided for the Committee's information. (f)Federation of Canadian Municipalities Alderman C. Weylie advised that she and Mr. S. Klapman would be attending the June convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Montreal to provide a presentation relative to the City's Environmental Initiatives. 4.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES (a)Pollution and Environmental Interference. (b)Energy Systems. (c)Natural and Recreational Amenity Areas. (d)Resource Consumption. The Committee considered the priorities suggested by staff in respect to the above topics. It was agreed to defer consideration of the Energy Systems and Resource Consumption topics to the next meeting so as to allow for detailed discussions between Dr. J. Kay and Mr. C. Ford on the topics following which they would present their comments to the Committee. Alderman M. Wagner mentioned that he had an enquiry that would fall under the reuse of material and equipment area of the Resource Consumption topic and noted that this area might be elaborated on in more depth. In relation to this, Dr. Kay advised that the University had a surplus stores system and building to efficiently reuse and recycle material and equipment for both reuse and resale. The Committee considered the Pollution and Environmental Interference topic and the Natural and Recreational Amenity Areas topic and agreed to minor revisions, additions of information and shifting of some priorities between the three priority classification levels outlined in the tables attached to each topic. Under the Pollution topic, it was agreed to add a new priority item 1.5 stating that it was an important principle to minimize as much as possible chemical use on lawns and green spaces. Alderman G.L. Leadston left the meeting at this point. Under the Natural and Recreational Amenity Areas topic, it was agreed to add a new item #4 under Philosophy documenting the importance of the Grand River Watershed and corridor as a recreational resource. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 16 - APRIL 8, 1992 4.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES. (CONT'D) Under Strategic Priorities, item 1.1, it was recommended that reference be made to development of a plan to identify funding sources for acquisition of such natural areas. Under item 6.1, it was recommended that an additional stronger phrase be added to stress that these policies, ensure that wherever possible, will minimize pollution of the environment. For the record, Mr. S. Klapman advised the Committee that it was right on schedule with its review of the Strategic Plan Drafts. 5.NEXT MEETINGS - MAY 6, 1992 AND JUNE 3, 1992 It was agreed that the next meetings of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, May 6, 1992 and Wednesday, June 3, 1992 at 4:00 p.m. 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk