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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-19ENVY1994-01-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 19, 1994 The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie, T. Galloway, M. Wagner, G. Leadston, J. Ziegler and C. Zehr and Mr. N. Robertson, Mr. A. Timmerman, Mr. M. Barker and Dr. J. Kay. Officials Present: Mr. S. Klapman, Mr. T. Clancy, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. G. Borovilos, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. P. Wetherup and Mr. L.W. Neil. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN After members of the Committee introduced themselves, Mr. L.W. Neil called for nominations for the position of Chairman. On motion by Councillor G.L. Leadston, it was resolved: "That Councillor J. Ziegler be appointed Chairman of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 1994." Councillor J. Ziegler assumed the Chair and called for nominations for the position of Vice- Chairman. = APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN On motion by Councillor C.M. Weylie, it was resolved: "That Councillor T. Galloway be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 1994." 3. WOODLAND EVALUATION FOR AREAS OUTSIDE OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENT LINES The Committee was in receipt of a draft report "Woodland Evaluation for Ares Outside Current Development Lines - Draft Study Report" dated December 1993 produced by Graham Taylor and Cindy Mann, Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. P. Wetherup advised that the report was prepared in response to the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment and the Department hired Mr. G. Taylor in this regard. It was noted in Mr. Taylor's December 14th correspondence that the report accompanies a Woodland Evaluation database and City-wide mapping of the woodlands. Mr. Taylor distributed an Executive Summary of the Study which is appended hereto as background information and a map of woodlands. He advised that the main purpose for the Study was to take a proactive approach relative to future parkland by identifying woodlands that should be priorities for inclusion into future parklands. Mr. Taylor explained how he approached his evaluation process and the methodology relating to his field work and then discussed his rating process out of which 15 high priority woodlands were identified for further consideration. He pointed out that he was now working on a final report that would take into consideration suggested comments and changes. The Committee then raised questions respecting aspects of the report. Mr. P. Wetherup advised that the report would be taken to either the Planning and Economic Development Committee or the Community Services Committee and that it was intended it form an Appendix of the City's new Municipal Plan. Dr. J. Kay questioned if the objective of the Study was to define pristine woodlands or the utility of woodlands. Mr. Taylor itemized the criteria he utilized and noted that the rankings in the report were arbitrary. Also, he stated that the inventory did not address the matter of whether certain woodlands would qualify for ESPA designation. Mr. P. Wetherup stated that the issue was to determine the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -2- JAN nARY 19, 1994 WOODLAND EVALUATION FOR AREAS OUTSIDE OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENT LINES (CONT'D) City's level of interest in woodlands for consideration as part of the future planning process. He noted that the information will also be passed on to the Region of Waterloo. Mr. A. Timmerman questioned why the area of Strasburg Creek was not dealt with. Mr. Taylor stated that there was not sufficient time and Mr. Wetherup commented that there was a loose tie-in to the Grand River Corridor Study. Councillor G.L. Leadston questioned if it would help if members of City Council contacted the 13% of property owners, who did not allow inspection of their lands for purposes of the Study, to obtain their co-operation. Mr. Taylor advised that he had been able to visually survey these properties and not being able to enter onto the lands did not negatively affect the report. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the new Municipal Plan provides the framework within which a woodland strategy can take place. He stated that staff intend to review all of the Community Plans, ESPA's and discuss them with the Region. The final objective will be to identify high priority woodlands and determine how to acquire them and in this regard staff will be working closely with the Parks and Recreation Department. Councillor T. Galloway commented that the thrust of the Study was to identify woodlands that were outside current settlement areas. However, he stated that there were many high quality woodlots within existing settlement areas and these were more at risk from current development. Councillor Galloway noted that there was a natural tie to the Envirofund proposal which would provide for lands to be acquired and preserved far ahead of the development process. Mr. T. Clancy pointed out that in 1975, the City had an environmental consultant rate its woodlots. He noted that the current report was a preliminary rating system and the issue of funding was going to be critical. Mr. N. Robertson questioned what, if anything, was being done to advise land owners of how their woodlot was rated in the report. For example, he suggested that the state of the woodlot could be indicated and suggestions provided as to how it could be improved. Mr. P. Wetherup advised that staff did not take this extra step. The comment was made that such approach could easily be mis- interpreted as government interfering with the rights of property owners. In reference to Mr. Taylor's Study, Councillor G.L. Leadston stated that the report should contain some identification so as to give recognition to the fact that it was an inhouse project and that it was not prepared by a private consultant. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner, the Committee agreed to accept the draft report. 4. REGION OF WATERLOO - HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM Mr. Dan Balfour, Region of Waterloo, attended the meeting to provide an overview of the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. He pointed out that the program was operated from the landfill sites in the City's of Cambridge and Waterloo. In 1993, the program was conducted on five days in Cambridge and 11 days in Waterloo. Some 4,000 vehicles dropped off hazardous waste consisting of 66% paint, 5% oil with the balance being made up of a variety of household chemicals. Mr. Balfour noted that the Region has had to consider effects of the province's Expenditure Control Program and whether or not the 16 operating days should be reduced. He stated that other alternatives such as "Toxic Taxis" and "Permanent Depots" were considered but a decision was made that it was not feasible to expand the program. Mr. Balfour advised that at a Regional Engineering meeting held this date, it was decided to: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -3- JAN nARY 19, 1994 4. REGION OF WATERLOO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM (CONT'D) a) Reduce the number of Saturday events at the Waterloo and Cambridge sites to 12 from the current 16 landfill b) Provide one local Saturday event in 1994 in each of the four City of Kitchener townships and the c) Conduct a pilot waste exchange program As information he left a copy of Regional Staff Report E-94-004 on its Household Hazardous Waste Program which will be copied and distributed to members of the Committee. He advised that the Region would like to find a suitable site in Kitchener for an event and that the Region would look after any necessary approval requirements. A temporary depot site would require a sufficiently large area for traffic flow, parking and be suitable for spill containment. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested the Kitchener Auditorium parking lots would be a suitable site. Mr. L. Masseo advised that there were planning implications relative to hazardous waste sites and noted that on December 13, 1993, City Council had passed a resolution requesting the Department of Planning & Development to investigate the question of locating permanent hazardous waste sites in each quadrant of the city. He pointed out that in terms of the zoning by- law, they were permitted in all industrial zones except mixed use zones but that to obtain Ministry of the Environment approval was a rigorous process. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he had initiated the December 13th council resolution with the intent of making sure that hazardous waste sites were not all located in the same general area. Councillor T. Galloway confirmed that council did not want to see a concentration of hazardous waste depots. Following further discussion, Mr. Masseo advised that staff would prepare a report for consideration by the Planning & Economic Development Committee. 5. REGION OF WATERLOO - WASTE REDUCTION MASTER PLAN TO THE YEAR 2000 Mr. D. Balfour also appeared before the Committee to answer any questions concerning the Region's report - Waste Reduction Master Plan To The Year 2000. He commented that the report had entailed a two year process involving plenty of input and consultation to produce the current final draft which was scheduled for consideration by Regional Council on March 10th. He noted that each recommendation in the report would require an implementation report. Mr. Balfour fielded several questions from the Committee including the question of how costs compare between the landfill operation and the blue box program. He advised that when the sale proceeds of recycleables were considered, the Region may break even on its costs. However, capital costs of the recycling facilities were not included in the calculation. Dr. J. Kay referred to Clause #5 of the November 22, 1993 Public Works and Transportation Committee Report were in the Master Plan was endorsed save and except recommendations 13 & 14. He questioned what the issues were respecting these recommendations. The Master Plan recommendations in question state as follows: 13) The Area Municipalities should work together with the Region to implement a standard container limit Region-wide for municipal garbage collection. 14) The Waste Reduction Master Plan Steering Committee should pursue the investigation of a full user pay system and make a recommendation to Regional Council. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -4- JAN UARY 19, 1994 5. REGION OF WATERLOO - WASTE REDUCTION MASTER PLAN TO THE YEAR 2000 (CONT'D) Councillor T. Galloway stated that costs would be more on a user pay basis but that there was a concern that the system would result in garbage being shifted and dropped around the municipality. Councillor J. Ziegler focused on the amount of garbage produced as a result of product packaging and suggested that manufacturers should be targeted to achieve reductions in garbage volume. He stated that by limiting the number of garbage bags, large families would be treated unfairly compared to small families and that all residents were being penalized for the product packaging policies of manufacturers. Finally, he questioned what the advantage was of living in a municipality if one has to pay separately for every service they utilize. Mr. A. Timmerman commented that it was people who bring about change and that if people have to pay directly for garbage collection service, they would put pressure on governments/manufacturers to bring about reductions in product packaging levels. Dr. J. Kay agreed and noted that it has been shown where the user pays for something, there was a tendency to conserve and that garbage was not any different than water in this regard. Mr. Balfour noted the concern that recommendations 13 & 14 would aggravate the illegal dumping issue which was being driven by high tipping fees and the banning of cardboard and tires from landfill sites. He stated that there are ways of managing problems with the proposed recommendations and also suggested that waste should be considered as part of household utilities and that the consequences of not adopting a user fee system must be realized. Councillor J. Ziegler expressed concern that people would burn garbage in their fireplaces and stressed that unlike other residential utilities, with garbage, residents had an option to get rid of it by transporting and depositing it elsewhere. Councillor T. Galloway commented that unlike other utilities which utilize a metering system to tally use, he could not see a system he could accept with respect to user pay garbage collection. He indicated a user pay system could open debate respecting the bundle of municipal services provided to all residents through their taxes. Mr. C. Ford suggested that consideration must be given to what the reactions of the next generation are going to be if the garbage issue is not better managed. Mr. N. Robertson stated that garbage was a commodity that should be subject to "supply/price" forces. In this regard he questioned why tipping fees were not being reduced since garbage tonnage supplied has been cut down and suggested that as a result, a negative side of human nature was being encouraged. Mr. S. Gyorffy clarified that he had responded to the Region respecting concerns with regard to recommendations 13 & 14. 6. CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT It was requested that a copy of the City's Strategic Plan For The Environment be provided to new Committee members. 7. CHAIRMAN OF WARD COORDINATORS - ADOPT YOUR ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM Staff were requested to provide an update at the next meeting. 8. ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - ANNUAL REVIEW Mr. C. Ford advised that he would like to circulate the above report to the Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES -5- JAN UARY 19, 1994 1991-92 AIR QUALITY REPORT- REGION OF WATERLOO & COUNTIES OF WELLINGTON & BRANT A copy of a December 17, 1993 letter from the Ministry Of The Environment was attached to the agenda concerning the above report which summarizes the results of routine air monitoring in 1991 & 1992. It was noted that a copy of the report is on file in the Department of Planning & Development and anyone wishing to review it should contact Mr. S. Klapman. 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk