Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-04-07ENVY1993-04-07 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 7, 1993 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, Mr. S. Cooke, Mr. J. Kay, Mr. J. Maine, Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. M. Barker. Alderman G.L. Leadston was in attendance with part of the meeting. Officials Present: Mr. T.B. Stanley, Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. Z. Janecki, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. T. Clancy, Mr. C. Ford and Ms. D. Gilchrist. This meeting of the Environmental Committee was held at Queen's Heights Condominium, 2 Lancaster Street East, Kitchener. TOUR OF THE QUEEN'S HEIGHTS CONDOMINIUM Mr. S.P. Wiegel explained, for the Committee's benefit, the environmentally sensitive measures used in the construction of the building including: the siting of the building, use of solar energy for south and west facing units, triple thermal paint window and high efficiency gas furnaces in north facing units, water conservation measures through special toilets and the use of a cistern and the recapturing and reuse of heat within the building. It was noted that Alderman T. Galloway had made arrangements for this meeting and the tour of the building. The Committee members and staff viewed two units, one facing south-west and one facing north, as well as the garage. Alderman G.L. Leadston left the meeting after the tour. The meeting continued in the Board Room and Alderman T. Galloway thanked Mr. Wiegel and his daughter for the tour. MINUTES On motion by Alderman T. Galloway it was resolved: "That the minutes of the Environmental Committee meetings of March 3, 1993 and March 10, 1993, as mailed to the members, be accepted." DELEGATION - HIGH EFFICIENCY, LOWER WATER USE PLUMBING FIXTURES. Mr. lan Cooke, President of the K-W Home Builders Association was in attendance at the invitation of this Committee, to discuss the Committee's Initiative for use of water conserver plumbing fixtures. Mr. Cooke gave some background on what is taking place in the industry. He advised that up to this time, the Plumbing Code has been lacks on levels on water consumption; however, by 1996, there will be a significant change in flow rates and flush requirements for residential construction. The industry is responding to environmental concerns. The most significant impact on water conservation is toilets; as currently approximately 45% of residential water usage is with toilets. He spoke of dollar saving involve with toilet which use less water. Mr. Cooke also spoke on other methods of saving water including shower heads, landscaping and cisterns. He advised that he has involved with the Waterloo Green Home Project which will have its official opening on April 25, 1993. He advised that he would be willing to give this Committee a tour of the Home if they wished. Mr. Hilker raised a question with regard to cisterns in new residences and Mr. Cooke responded that they can be installed by a plumbing contractor and are not difficult to install; however, it boils down to cost. Further, the water has to be filtered if it is to be brought into the home. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 25 - APRIL 7, 1993 3. DELEGATION - HIGH EFFICIENCY, LOWER WATER USE PLUMBING FIXTURES. (CONT'D) Alderman T. Galloway questioned if environmentally friendly homes could be marketed in the same fashion that other environmentally friendly products are marketed. Mr. Cooke responded that the consumer is ready to buy an environmentally friendly home, but is not willing to pay more money for it. Further, lending institutions have to come on side. Mr. J. Maine questioned the current philosophy on housing intensification, to which Mr. Cooke responded that there must be a consumer choice. He advised that he is in support of a more efficient use of the existing urban form; however, there are cost issues involved. He questioned whether the existing infrastructure is in shape to handle the increase load. He stated that the expansion of the urban boundary is paid for by the home buyer through development charges and questioned who would pay for the improvement and replacement of the existing infrastructure. Mr. J. Kay questioned whether Iow flush toilets could be installed in all new development. It was suggested that the Committee write a letter to all developers encouraging the use of Iow flush toilets and Mr. Cooke volunteered to be the Committee's contact. Further discussion followed. Alderman C. Weylie thanked Mr. Cooke for attending the meeting on behalf of the Committee. 4. CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION Mr. J. Maine questioned whether anyone is going to attend the Urban Forests Conference and Mr. Clancy responded that it is cost prohibited. Mr. Maine questioned whether it would be possible to access the minutes of the conference and Mr. Clancy advised that he would inquire. 5. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION - WINDOW DISPLAY Mr. G. Nixon displayed a diagram of the environmental window display proposed for the week of May 3-10, 1993, advising that the following will be included in the display: the Committee's Logo and Mission Statement, the Kolb Drain Channel Improvements Proposal, the Laurentian West Environmental Community Plan, Water Resources and the Strategic Plan. The Committee requested that information on access to this Committee be included in the display. 6. ADOPT-A-PROGRAM Alderman M. Wagner introduced this item and copies of a letter from Alderman Wagner were distributed along with a draft report containing background information, purpose, draft terms of reference, and position descriptions for the Chair and Ward representatives. A draft brochure was also distributed, which is to be circulated to the community at large. As time was running short, Alderman M. Wagner asked for the Committee's endorsement of the program with further consideration of the detail to take place at the Committee's May meeting. He requested that the Committee members read the report and be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting. Alderman M. Wagner introduced Ms. Nancy Finkle who has agreed to be the over-all co-ordinator for the program, on a volunteer basis. The Committee was advised that this is a spin-off from the Adopt-a-Highway Program taking place in various areas in the United States and it is far more extensive than simply adopting a park. Alderman Wagner stressed three important aspects of the program: monitoring a green space, safety features and education. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 26 - APRIL 7, 1993 6. ADOPT-A-PROGRAM. (CONT'D) Mr. T. Clancy advised that this is not a new concept as it is already occurring in parts of the U.S. and in Calgary. He advised that it has been mentioned in the Strategic Plan. Mr. G. Nixon advised that staff are open for suggestion and that the City is already participating in such a program, but on an informal basis, as the City already receives calls from schools, church groups, etc. who already volunteered to do this type of work. Ms. Finkle stated that before the program can begin, there must be a solid base and there will be a time commitment to establish the program properly. She advised that she is in the process of getting people who can commit time as Ward Co-ordinators. The Ward Co-ordinators will then establish Committees of their own volunteers. She further advised that all the Ward Co-ordinators are not yet in place. Mr. Hilker advised that he was prepared to put forward a motion to endorse the program and Alderman C. Weylie requested that the recommendation include the fact that the program should be carried out without any implications to this Committee's budget. On motion by Mr. D. Hilker it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee endorses the Adopt-a-Program, provided that it is carried out without any implications to the Environmental Committee Budget, and further That the Adopt-a-Program be forwarded to the Community Services Committee for their approval." Mr. T. Clancy advised that staff will encourage the informal arrangement to continue until this program is finalized, which will hopefully be done in the fall of this year. He further advised that the concept has to be discussed with the Union to assure them that jobs will not be eliminated. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES FROM COMMITTEE BUDGET It was agreed that this matter be discussed at the Committee's May meeting. ELECTION OF I.C.L.E.I. COUNCIL Mr. C. Ford advised the Committee that ballots for the election of officers for the I.C.L.E.I. Council will take place on May 11, 1993. There has been 17 nominations for 15 positions. On motion by Mr. J. Kay it was resolved: "That Mr. C. Ford be authorized to review the nominations for the position on the I.C.L.E.I. Council and vote for 15 people." RECYCLING BROCHURE Mr. G. Nixon distributed copies of a draft brochure on recycling, developed as a result of the ban on the collection of grass clippings. He advised that 55,000 copies would be printed and that RYOBI will pay half the cost of printing the brochures. 10. INFORMATION SHARING Mr. J. Maine advised that the City of Brantford and the Township of Wilmot E.A.C. would like to exchange information with this Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES - 27 - APRIL 7, 1993 11. R.O.P.P. REVIEW Alderman C. Weylie advised that there will be an R.O.P.P. review on May 1, 1993, at the Engineering Building. Anyone wishing more information should contact Alderman C. Weylie directly. 12. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Environmental Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 1993. 13. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. D.H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary