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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-03ENVY1992-06-03 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 3, 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 T. Galloway, Alderman M. Wagner, Alderman C. Zehr, Mr. J. Maine, Dr. J. Kay and Mr. S. Cooke. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. T. Clancy, Mr. J. Witmer and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1.MINUTES Mr. S. Klapman pointed out that the last sentence of item #4, of the May 6th minutes should be corrected so as to refer to three proposed 'visions' rather than 'revisions'. On motion by Alderman G.L. Leadston it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Environmental Committee held on May 6, 1992, as amended this date, be accepted." 2.CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION Nil. 3.ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCIES RE BUILDING CODE. At the Committee's May 6th meeting, questions were raised concerning what powers or controls the municipality had under the Building Code to achieve better efficiencies. Mr. C. Ford advised that the Ontario Building Code was adopted in 1976 to develop a uniform building standard which most municipalities follow. He pointed out that if only the City of Kitchener was to increase minimum building requirements, it would put Kitchener in a disadvantageous position relative to overall price affordability compared with new construction in other municipalities. In response to Dr. Kay, Mr. Ford recommended that any proposal for increase in standards be done on a regional basis. A memorandum dated June 3, 1992 was distributed by Mr. Ford commenting on this matter. Mr. J. Witmer, Director of Building and Inspections, attended the meeting relative to this matter. He advised that he was Chairman of the Waterloo Region Chief Building Officials Committee which considers and makes recommendations to the government on amendments to the Ontario Building Code. Mr. Witmer pointed out that adherence to the Ontario Building Code provides for both uniformity of regulations and of interpretation. He noted that requiring higher standards was one issue but that enforcement was another matter as enforcement was limited to regulations under the Code. Dr. Kay referred to a personal experience regarding water control devices respecting higher standards existing in the Region over and above existing regulations in plumbing legislation. In response to Mr. J. Maine, Mr. J. Witmer explained how hundreds of amendments have been made to the Ontario Building Code over the last six years. Mr. B. Stanley suggested that some higher building standards might be incorporated into subdivision agreements. Alderman G.L. Leadston commented on the "Green Home" and how new ideas are monitored, analyzed, evaluated and recommendations for changes to the Code are proposed. Alderman C. Zehr questioned what the best approach was on this matter as some issues tend to be more localized while some are of a provincial nature. Mr. C. Ford advised that changes to the 1993 Ontario Building Code are under review at this time while changes for the 1995 Code are being documented. He suggested that the City could choose to act in anticipation of changes to the code. Dr. Kay commented that in all new construction, the City should strive to require installation of the most ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - 21 - JUNE 3, 1992 MINUTES 3.ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCIES RE BUILDING CODE. (CONT'D) efficient fixtures as the extra cost at time of construction is usually incidental to the overall building cost. It was agreed that Mr. Ford would prepare a report on "Initiatives" that could be taken now and how higher standards could be enforced. 4.STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - PRIORITIZATION OF ISSUES (a)Review of Revisions to Enerqy Systems (b)Review of Revisions to Resource Consumption The Committee considered the revisions to the priorities as discussed at its last meeting in respect to the Energy Systems and Resource Consumption topics and further discussed the information outlined in the three priority classification tables of each topic. A question was raised pertaining to the City acquiring air conditioned transit buses and after discussion, it was requested that Transit Officials be invited to the next meeting to explain this policy. Alderman G.L. Leadston advised of a new type of oil filter made of steel mesh and an absorbent material that allows more air and cleaner air to enter a vehicle's engine resulting in decreased gas consumption and decreased pollutant emissions. He indicated that he would pass information on this matter to Mr. C. Ford to discuss with appropriate City staff. It was agreed to add under Resource Consumption, consideration of compartment type recycle receptacles for every work station. Further discussion took place respecting the aesthetics and safety concerns of recycling containers and Alderman T. Galloway pointed out that companies are now producing modular systems of multiple type receptacles. Mr. S. Klapman noted that the draft plan was now complete and pointed out that the Committee could prepare an implementation plan or place the draft plan before City Council for approval. Dr. J. Kay suggested that the Strategic Plan be re-named as it was essentially a set of principles to guide behaviour in respect to the environment and that a plan of action or implementation could be developed later. Alderman C. Zehr commented that it was important to get the current document published and distributed to every department which would then allow for involvement and facilitate implementation. Also it was pointed out that there was a need to raise the profile of Kitchener's Environmental Initiatives. Mr. J. Maine recommended that wording under the overall Mission Statement and Philosophy be slightly revised so as to provide for reference to it specifying an ecological approach to Community Planning and Development. It was agreed that this terminology in conjunction with the issue of sustainable development would be discussed by Mr. B. Stanley and staff and brought back for consideration along with the Strategic Plan document at the Committee's special meeting which is being held Wednesday, June 10, 1993 to discuss environmental aspects relating to the Official Plan Review. Mr. S. Klapman noted that once the Plan has been approved by City Council, that he anticipated staff would be involved in lengthy preparation of implementation plans and questioned what the wish of the Committee was with respect to future meetings. It was agreed that Committee members meet on July 8th at Alderman C. Weylie's residence for purposes of an informal brain storming session only. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 22 - JUNE 3, 1992 5.COMMITTEE MEMBER RESIGNATION - MR. PETER HAYES The Committee was advised that a letter has now been received from Mr. Peter Hayes advising that with regret he wished to tender his resignation as a member of the Committee due to workload constraints and other obligations. It was noted that the Chairman had been provided with the name and documentation that other applicants for appointment to this Committee submitted last Autumn to City Council. The Chairman asked for the opinions of Committee members as to what type of person the Committee should be looking for to fill the vacancy. Dr. J. Kay suggested that a professional consultant would bring a resource to the Committee that it was currently lacking while Mr. J. Maine suggested that appointment of a female from an appropriate organization within Kitchener would be advantageous. Alderman C. Weylie requested that Committee members with ideas in this regard forward them to her for consideration. It was resolved: "That the resignation of Mr. Peter Hayes from the Environmental Committee be accepted with regret. And further, that the Committee be authorized to seek a replacement of this vacancy subject to approval by City Council." 6.HURON NATURAL PARK GUIDED WALK - SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1992 Alderman T. Galloway provided the Committee with copies of a flyer that had been distributed to 4,000 residences located near the Huron Natural Park. The flyer invites residents to participate in a guided walk within the Huron Natural Park on Saturday, June 13, 1992 commencing at 2:00 p.m. so as to gain a better appreciation of a magnificent environmental resource existing within the City. 7.COPPER TRUST FOUNDATION Alderman T. Galloway noted that reference had been made at a previous meeting to the Copper Trust Foundation and requested that information be obtained about this organization. 8.INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES Mr. C. Ford advised that he was in receipt of a letter dated May 5, 1992 giving notice of a meeting of the ICLEI Council on August 5, 1992. The appointed "Interim Executive Committee" has voted to delay elections for a new Committee and thereby extend its term from September 8, 1992 to June 13, 1993 and seeks the approval of the Council. The purpose of the requested delay is to maintain continuity of management during the critical start-up period of the organization and allow for the election of the next Executive Committee to take place at a face-to-face regular meeting of the Council in June 1993 rather than via the mail. Each member is requested to consider and vote on this matter. On motion by Alderman C. Zehr, it was resolved: "That on behalf of the City of Kitchener, Mr. C. Ford be instructed to vote in favour of extending the appointment term of the Interim Executive Committee of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives from September 8, 1992 to June 13, 1993". 9.FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES Alderman C. Weylie advised that she and Mr. S. Klapman would be attending the FCM Conference in Montreal, June 6, 1992. Alderman Weylie indicated that they would be making a verbal and slide presentation at the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 23 - JUNE 3, 1992 9.FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES. (CONT'D) Conference respecting the activities of Kitcheners Environmental Committee. 10.ENVIRONMENTAL DISCUSSION AT THE WATERLOO MOTOR INN Mr. T. Clancy commented on a recent meeting held at the Waterloo Motor Inn to discuss environmental issues as part of increased environmental awareness due to the world conference on the environment being held in Brazil. Mr. Clancy indicated that he had made a video of the meeting which the Committee will be able to view at a later date. 11.NEXT MEETING - JUNE 10, 1992 It was agreed that the Committee would hold special meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 1992 commencing at 3:00 p.m. to discuss environmental aspects relating to the Official Plan Review. 12.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk