Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-06ENVY1994-07-06 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES J U LY 6, 1994 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Ziegler with the following members present: Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor C. Zehr, Councillor T. Galloway, Dr. J. Kay and Mr. D. Hilker. Officials Present: Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. E. Kovacs, Ms. D. Arnold, Mr. T. Clancy and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1. MR. E. KOVACS RE WATERLOO PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP (WPIRG) Mr. E. Kovacs advised that a member of the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group had contacted Mr. Neil and suggested that a delegation might be attending the meeting this date with the intent of introducing themselves briefly, then attending a future meeting to make a major presentation with Ministry of the Environment officials. Mr. Kovacs indicated that he was attending to answer any questions the Committee might have should that delegation come to the meeting this date. The Committee agreed to have Mr. Kovacs provide some further explanation of the group's work so that he could leave the meeting. Mr. Kovacs advised that the WPIRG was trying to act as a catalyst to initiate some green initiatives in the community and wished to approach the Committee in this regard to request that the City and the Group collaborate in their work. Mr. Kovacs advised that their focus was resources, energy and disposal of resources and that Provincial funding was available for green initiatives in this regard through the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce and the University were represented on the Group, which at present was struggling with the functional approach their membership should take to undertaking its proposed work in collaboration with the City. Mr. Kovacs advised that he would contact the Group and obtain material for the Committee's next meeting. Dr. J. Kay advised that he was very familiar with the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group which was one of the first "PIRG'S" founded in North America and that they have usually developed in association with universities. He noted that the whole acid rain issue was first raised by the Waterloo PIRG. He clarified that it is a student run group of highly motivated individuals with an interest in the environment. Mr. Kovacs pointed out that if a partnership was struck it would involve the Ministry of the Environment, the City and Waterloo PIRG and that in his view such partnership would have great potential. Mr. T. Clancy entered the meeting at this point. 2. COMPOSTERS The Committee was provided with page 3 of the City of Waterloo Lot Maintenance By-law 89-137 which deals with home composters to provide a basis for discussion and referral with any directions to the City's Legal Department. Ms. D. Arnold, Assistant City Solicitor, attended the meeting to participate in discussion. Dr. J. Kay stated that his only concern with the Waterloo by-law was that it does not deal with digesters, and suggested that a separate section be included for digesters. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if he had any information as to deficiency in operational experience in regard to home composters. Ms. D. Arnold advised that the Legal Department has not heard any complaints in Kitchener and suggested if there were only few complaints they could be enforced under the Lot Maintenance By-law. She reiterated that there have been no significant complaints reported but acknowledged that a separate by-law would raise the profile of the seriousness with respect to the home composting issue. Councillor J. Ziegler commented that he would prefer to see guidelines in place to provide ground rules for operation that would really function to provide information to existing and future residents who propose to utilize home composters. Mr. T. Clancy advised that the Region of Waterloo has distributed thousands of home composters and suggested it would be advantageous to obtain information from the City of 2. COMPOSTERS (Cont'd) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES 3ULY 6, 1994 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER Waterloo as to their experience with respect to complaints and enforcement of their by-law regulations governing home composting. He recommended that Kitchener develop guidelines at this time but hold off the passing of any by-law regarding until a complete assessment could be made. In the meantime, he recommended that City staff develop an information flyer dealing with composting philosophy and outlining regulations with respect to placement of composters that would also provide clear and brief operational advice for proper use of home composters. Councillor M. Wagner stated that he agreed with the approach suggested by Mr. Clancy and also suggested that at a future meeting the Committee consider how composters should be used in multiple residential developments and in apartment buildings. Councillor C. Zehr pointed out that all of the City's by-laws are enforced on a complaint basis and enforcement of any regulations with respect to composters would not be any different. He noted that there was a Provincial booklet "How to Compost" available and suggested that staff work with the Region to have these booklets available as well as a one page summary of instruction on composting use developed before the next Regional give away of composter units. Following further discussion, Ms. D. Arnold indicated she would approach the City of Waterloo and attempt to obtain more quantitative material after which she would reapproach the Committee. On motion by Councillor C. Zehr it was resolved: "That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare a draft by-law to amend the Lot Maintenance By-law to add provision for the regulation of "composters" and "digesters" in form similar to the City of Waterloo By-law, and further; That the draft by-law be reviewed by the Environmental Committee prior to being recommended to City Council." It was specifically requested that relevant City staff co-ordinate the provision of educational material on composting with Regional staff and ensure it was available with the next Regional distribution of composters. TERMS OF REFERENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY STUDY GROUP The Terms of Reference of both the Environmental Committee and the Environmental Study Group were appended to the agenda. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the process to update the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment should have as the initial starting point the Terms of Reference of the Committee itself. Subsequently, the Terms of Reference of the Environmental Study Group should be considered. He noted that it would appear a shift in philosophy has taken place since the Strategic Plan was developed and affects the purpose, scope and responsibilities outlined within the plan. The Committee then proceeded to review the Terms of Reference, changes to items 2.1, 2.3, 2.4,, 3.1 and the addition of item 2.5 were agreed to, and following this discussion it was resolved: "That the following revised Terms of Reference of the Environmental Committee be approved: 1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE 1.1 The Environmental Committee is an Advisory Committee to Council or to the appropriate Standing Committee. TERMS OF REFERENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY STUDY GROUP (Cont'd) 1.2 The Environmental Committee will consider environment in its broadest possible terms. As such, the Committee mandate will include all matters, activities and operations of every City Department that impact on the environment; as well as all related regulatory and enforcement functions of the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES 3ULY 6, 1994 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER City Administration. 1.3 The Environmental Committee will consider community outreach programs to promote environmental awareness. 2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES 2.1 To hear delegations, review reports on any subject falling within the Committee's mandate and, where appropriate, advise Council or the appropriate Standing Committee. 2.2 To provide guidance and direction to the City's Environmental Study Group in the maintenance, review and implementation of the City's Environmental Strategic Plan. 2.3 To provide liaison within the community including individuals, businesses, and industry and the City concerning environmental matters. 2.4 To develop short-term, intermediate and long-term corporate environmental initiatives. 2.5 To develop short-term, intermediate and long-term community based environmental initiatives. 3.0 MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION 3.1 Membership on the Committee shall be as follows: Mayor Ex Officio A minimum of 4 members from Council A minimum of 4 members from the public who shall Council. be appointed by 3.2 The Committee shall, from amongst their members, annually choose a Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman both of whom must be members of Council. 3.3 Minutes will be kept of each meeting with secretarial services provided by the staff of the City Clerk's Department. 3.4 Meetings will be held monthly or as called by due notice." TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY The Committee was in receipt of Department of Planning & Development and Department of Parks and Recreation Draft Staff Report PD 45/93 dealing with Tree Management Policy. Mr. B. Stanley advised that one of the initiatives of the City of Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment was to develop a tree management policy. In this regard, he circulated the Draft Report which he indicated has been subjected to a first round of discussions internally at the staff level and with representatives of the development industry. Mr. Stanley indicated that he would like to have Mr. Brian Page review the draft document with the Committee at its August TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY (Cont'd) 17th meeting with the intent of then formally considering it at the Committee's September 7th meeting. In response to Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. B. Stanley commented on the woodlot issue differences between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Regional Tree Saving By-law. He pointed out that the objective was to get a more ecologically sound forest after appropriate process had been followed. Councillor J. Ziegler noted that he still had an outstanding concern over maintenance of trees ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITFEE MINUTES 3ULY 6, 1994 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER after approved development had taken place. Dr. J. Kay questioned if the Committee could consider the issue of people cutting down trees on their property and Mr. T. Clancy advised that legislatively, the municipality could not prohibit people from cutting down trees on their property. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested that the section of the Development Agreement covering approved landscaping plans should be amended to caution owners that once the landscaping plan was in place, it must be maintained. On motion by Councillor C. Zehr, it was resolved: "That the Planning and Development Department be requested to prepare a report reviewing Section 40 Development Agreement provisions for the purpose of incorporating revisions requiring property owners to maintain Landscaping Plans approved for development projects, and further, That the report be referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee for consideration." 5. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (a) Dr. J. Kay questioned the status of consideration of the Safety-Kleen issue and Councillor C. Zehr advised that the matter was now beyond consideration by the Environmental Committee. (b) Dr. Kay questioned the pipeline issue with regard to water supply and was advised that this was an issue under the jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. (c) Dr. Kay referred to an article on natural gas powered transit buses and pointed out that the Environmental Committee had in the past tried to raise this issue for discussion. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that it was only this year that the industry came up with a production version natural gas engine for use on transit buses that was fully warranted and subsidizable. Previously, discussion centred around utilizing engines modified and converted to run on natural gas fuel which had been determined to be undesirable. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk