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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-16ENVY1994-02-16 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 1994 The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Ziegler with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie and M. Wagner and Mr. R. Tiffin, Mr. N. Robertson and Mr. D. Hilker. Councillors C. Zehr, G. Leadston and T. Galloway entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. C. Ford and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MR. B. LAWRENCE - SAFETY KITS AND SHARPS KITS AND PROCEDURES Mr. Bruce Lawrence of the City's Safety Section, attended the meeting to inform the Committee of training provided to City staff with regard to safety procedures and protective measures that must be adhered to when collecting hazardous waste or any waste that may potentially be hazardous. He commented that various hazardous waste is collected by staff from: routine operations, in parks and in the parking garages. Mr. Lawrence advised that his presentation is identical to the one he gave several months ago to the Ward Co-ordinators of the Adopt Your Environment Program. He pointed out that each ward had a safety kit containing the contents that he would be exhibiting. A video, "Blood Borne Pathogens" documenting the nature of blood borne diseases was then shown which illustrated the "do's and don'ts" of hazardous situations. Proper procedures in the handling of hazardous material, clean up of spills and disposal of contaminated clean up supplies and material was stressed in the video. Councillors C. Zehr and G. Leadston entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Lawrence reviewed the material contained in the safety kits which have been placed in all of the City's public facilities. He noted that hazardous material was found regularly in Victoria Park, the Transit Terminal and the Market Garage. Councillor G.L. Leadston expressed concern over how cuts incurred during sport games are treated and pointed out that while staff in the facilities have kits available, this should be more effectively communicated by the Parks and Recreation Department to sports organizations. Councillor C.M. Weylie commented that fear is a factor for volunteers and they must be properly informed of potential danger. 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS RE CITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Councillor J. Ziegler advised that a presentation of the Strategic Plan for the Environment was planned on March 9th for the Waterloo County Board of Education. Councillor C.M. Weylie commented that someone should be making such presentations on a regular basis so as to promote the City's Environmental Initiatives. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting at this point. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that all Committee Members should be part of the presentation effort. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie, it was agreed that staff prepare a letter to Neighbourhood Associations offering presentations of the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment and explanation of the Adopt Your Environment Program. Further, it was agreed that this initiative be a responsibility shared by all Committee Members. = ENERGY FORUM - APRIL 12TH Mr. C. Ford advised that an Energy Forum was being held at City Hall on April 12th under sponsorship by the Chamber of Commerce. He advised that he needed sponsorship of clean up cost estimated at $200.00 for this event which was expected to attract approximately 200 delegates. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -10- FEBRUARY 16, 1994 3. ENERGY FORUM - APRIL 12TH. (CONT'D) Councillor J. Ziegler suggested a volunteer donation of $1.00 per delegate to cover the clean up costs and commented that while it was City's policy to welcome any group utilizing the City Hall facility, it should not be policy to pay the costs of such group functions. Further discussion took place. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner, it was agreed, to approve an expenditure from the environmental budget of approximately $200.00 to cover clean up costs related to the April 12th Energy Forum being held at City Hall provided the delegates are invited to make a contribution to the City's Environmental Fund. 4. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES (ICLEI) Mr. C. Ford advised of recent ICLEI activities involving the Region of Hamilton Wentworth and Canada Trust. In regard to the Region of Hamilton Wentworth, Mr. Ford advised that it was the 1st Canadian Municipality to develop a Local Agenda 21 program. He noted that as a result of the Earth Summit, and subsequently through ICLEI, a Local Agenda 21 was developed with the intent to foster environmental awareness and sensitivity in municipal operations. In regard to his reference to Canada Trust, Mr. Ford advised that ICLEI had initiated the Ontario Municipal Energy Collaborative (OMEC) which has the intent to retrofit all municipal buildings with energy management programs. Canada Trust has been approached for funding assistance in this regard. 5. KITCHENER ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - ANNUAL REVIEW The Committee was provided with a copy of Kitchener's "Energy Management Program - Annual Review" dated January 17, 1994. Mr. C. Ford pointed out that energy saving from 1980 through 1993 total $3 3/4 million dollars. By the year 2002, it is estimated the City will have saved over $12 million dollars with the current project levels and with new projects, even more will be saved. In order to achieve additional savings, he would like to change the City's policy that requires a minimum 5 year payback for each project to a policy requiring a 5 year average payback on all projects so as to qualify additional projects. Councillor M. Wagner questioned how Kitchener ranks in its Energy Management Program compared to other municipalities and if the City on was on the leading edge. Mr. C. Ford commented that the City was in the leading wave and noted that in most cities, Energy Management was incorporated into existing job descriptions. Councillor M. Wagner suggested the Committee consider how to publicize the City's environmental activities. Mr. Ford commented that perhaps the resources represented by his peer group in OMEC could be tapped into for advice. 5. EMISSIONS STUDY - COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUELED VEHICLES The Committee was in receipt of an information article on Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles provided by Mr. B. Gulliver, Director of the Fleet Division. Essentially, the article is a negative report pointing to disappointing results in performance and emissions by large bus engines fueled by compressed natural gas. Mr. C. Ford commented that conversion kits are not very efficient but vehicles with original natural gas fuel engines could be. 6. BICYCLE MASTER PLAN Councillor M. Wagner advised that the Bicycle Master Plan was one meeting away from finalization and it was intended to send it to the Municipal Councils in late spring. He suggested the Committee might wish to review it. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -11 - FEBRUARY 16, 1994 7. CITY OF KITCHENER TRANSIT POLICY Councillor M. Wagner advised that a motion was made at Council's 1994 budget meeting requesting that a 5 Year Plan on Transit Policy be developed. He suggested that the Environmental Committee may wish to undertake discussion and consider endorsement from an environmental point of view. 8. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATES Mr. L.W. Neil advised that prior to the meeting, Dr. J. Kay had requested that the Committee consider an idea he had raised earlier which would see future Committee Agendas include provision for periodic six month updates on the Strategic Plan progress being given by department staff who are actually involved in delivery of the Plan. 9. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM - REGIONAL REPORT E-94-004 As information, the Committee was in receipt of the above report on the Regions Household Hazardous Waste Program. 10. UPDATE RE ADOPT YOUR ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Mr. G. Nixon advised that the Adopt Your Environment Program was in need of support at the ward level in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7. Councillor C.M. Weylie advised that she was aware of someone for Ward 3 and provided the name to Mr. Nixon. Mr. Nixon then advised of the following environmental activities: - In Ward 5, Grand River Collegiate students plan to rejuvenate a former gravel pit. - In Ward 9, staff are working with the Waterloo County Board of Education and West Heights Public School which has adopted the forest adjacent to the school. - In Ward 10, programs were being actively pursued. - There was possibility of receiving Ministry of Transportation of Ontario funding sponsorship for an Adopt a Program Received notice this week of possible corporate sponsor for the Adopt Your Environment Program, with the sponsorship providing support for such things as volunteer hats, shirts, etc. Pursuing potential funding for the Adopt Your Environment Program from Canada Trust that would fund costs for a half time person acting as Chairman of the Ward Co- ordinators so as to more effectively promote the program and deliver results. As a method of publicity for the Adopt Your Environment Program, Councillor J. Ziegler suggested we advise the Neighbourhood Associations to insert an information notice in their Newsletters that firstly, outlines the program and secondly, asks for volunteers. Councillor C.M. Weylie expressed concern over the effectiveness of meetings of Ward Co-ordinators as initiatives do not seem to be filtering down to the volunteer activity level. Mr. C. Ford suggested that in terms of dispensing environmental information, the Committee take a more activist approach by directly questioning when ward groups would like a presentation on a specific topic such as hazardous waste collection or composting. Mr. D. Hilker suggested that both the Chairman and former Chairman of the Board of J.M. Schneiders may be available to head the program if the appropriate City Official was to approach them. Councillor M. Wagner advised that an approach was already being made to J.M. Schneiders regarding the Huron Natural Park but if this does not materialize, he would support the suggestion by Mr. Hilker. Mr. G. Nixon outlined a variation of projects ranging from small to large that Schneider Corporation could sponsor. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - 12 - FEBRUARY 16, 1994 MINUTES 11. NEXT MEETING -WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994 It was agreed to hold the next Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 1994 commencing at 4:00 p.m. 12. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk