Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-05ENVY1994-10-05 OCTOBER 5, 1994 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:15 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor J. Ziegler with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor C. Zehr, Mr. M. Barker, Mr. N. Robertson, Mr. D. Hilker and Dr. J. Kay. Officials Present: Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. L. Masseo, Ms. D. Arnold, Mr. C. Ford and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1.DELEGATION - BY-LAW 94-162 RE: COMPOSTERS AND DIGESTERS Mr. Steven Gombos, Compost Co-Ordinator for the Region of Waterloo appeared as a delegation regarding By-law #94-162 which he noted in his opinion was a very good By-law. He stated that initially he had a concern respecting Clause 5(e) but that concern had been clarified. He then referred to Clause 5(g) which reads "no human feces or other animal feces shall be placed in a compost container or digester used for composting". Mr. Gombos pointed out that the Region has publicized an option to place animal feces in a special digester only if other preferred disposal alternatives are not chosen. He expressed concern that positions of the Region and the City were in conflict on this issue which would cause confusion to the public. A copy of By-law #94-162 passed on September 26, 1994 was distributed with the Committee agenda. A general discussion of the concern took place. Following this discussion, Mr. N. Robertson pointed out that what the Region was advocating did not contravene the City's By-law as the Region's special digester for animal feces is not for composting use and Clause 5(g) of the City's By-law prohibits animal feces from being placed in a digester for composting. By general consent, the Committee agreed that no action was necessary respecting this matter since it has been determined that a conflict between the Region and City did not exist. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested that the Region distribute copies of Kitchener By-law #94-162 when distributing composters to Kitchener residents. 2.ENFORCEMENT RE: COMPOSTING Mr. Steven Gombos offered to conduct a seminar respecting composting issues for municipal By-law Enforcement Officers. Mr. B. Stanley took the offer under advisement. 3. REQUEST FROM FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES RE: DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT" "CANADIAN A letter addressed to the Mayor dated August 10, 1994 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) was distributed with the agenda. As stated in the letter, Mr. B. Stanley pointed out the FCM has established a partnership with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) on an international campaign "Cities for Climate Protection" whose goal is to stabilize greenhouse gases in accordance with Canada's commitment made at the 1992 Earth Summit Conference. In support of this, municipal Councils are invited to adopt the "Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the Urban Environment" which actually asks municipalities to reduce air pollutants and identify various CO2 reduction strategies. Mr. B. Stanley advised that a letter dated September 28, 1994 was prepared by staff reviewing where the City of Kitchener was on the issue and pointing out that the City was well underway. Mr. L. Masseo pointed out that the staff report addresses some of the strategies that the Declaration deals with and that the classifications outlined closely parallels what Kitchener has done. It was his view that if the City of Kitchener chooses to participate in the declaration, that a very large part of the CO2 reduction strategy had already been completed. Dr. J. Kay fully endorsed the content of staff's letter and recommended that the letter be changed to strongly emphasize that Kitchener has developed a "local action plan" as advocated by the Declaration. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 1994 - 34 - CITY OF KITCI:IENER 3. REQUEST FROM FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES RE: "CANADIAN DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT" (CONT'D.) Dr. Kay stated that he had a problem with blanket agreement to reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, given that if responsible jurisdictions had already undertaken and achieved such reductions, another round of such reduction is very difficult and extremely costly; in comparison to a jurisdiction that is just beginning a program to reduce emissions. Such a 20% proposal places a burden on those who have been environmentally responsible; however, he strongly supports a 20% general reduction initiative provided reference was made to reductions previously achieved. A discussion took place involving method of measurement, the value of time to undertake measurement and the difficulty that rapidly growing municipalities face to reduce emissions from absolute levels. Dr. Kay agreed that emission measurements were not a good use of staff time, but could form an ongoing student project every year. The Committee directed staff to change the last sentence of their September 28, 1994 letter as previously suggested. Mr. C. Ford stated that the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment did not target CO2 levels and recommended that the City seek the Universities' assistance to develop a baseline CO2 level for the 1990 year. Dr. J. Kay responded that the City by undertaking a systematic approach through the Strategic Plan to address environmental problems had in fact addressed the issue of CO2 reduction and that as a result CO2 levels will fall naturally. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway: it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener support the "Cities for Climate Protection" initiative sponsored jointly by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and further That in respect to this support the City of Kitchener approves adoption of the "Canadian Declaration on Climate Change and the Urban Environment" and further That the City of Kitchener considers its "Strategic Plan for the Environment" to satisfy the requirement for municipal signatories to develop local action plans, and further That the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives be advised of this resolution." 4.CITY OF GUELPH - "NO JUNK MAIL" STICKER PROGRAM Attached to the agenda was information pertaining to the City of Guelph's "No Junk Mail Sticker Program" as well as copies of the consideration that this topic was given by the Environmental Committee in 1991 and 1992. Councillor J. Ziegler advised the Committee that this matter had been placed on the agenda in response to a request he received from Councillor M. Yantzi. The Committee briefly discussed the junk mail issue and the views of Committee members were varied. Councillor C. Zehr commented that while going door-to-door during his election campaign he had noticed an increase in signs/notes on mail boxes advising that the residents did not want to accept junk mail. The Committee seemed to agree that a sticker in this regard was desirable and Mr. C. Ford suggested that consideration be given to developing a portable sticker so as to allow residents some flexibility on the issue. Councillor C. Zehr suggested that the junk mail producers should be involved in this solution to produce a form of sticker. 4.CITY OF GUELPH - "NO JUNK MAIL" STICKER PROGRAM (CONT'D.) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 1994 - 35- CITY OF KITCI:IENER Mr. L.W. Neil advised the Committee that the Regional Manager of Netmar Systems which distributes the Pennysaver and other unsolicited advertising material had contacted him in regard to this agenda item. It was indicated that a commitment to a three day seminar prevented Netmar Systems from attending the Committee meeting this date but it was requested that Netmar's continued interest in participating in this subject be conveyed to the Committee. The Committee agreed that such organizations should be involved in any solutions respecting this issue. On motion by Councillor C. Zehr: it was resolved: "That an invitation be extended to organizations such as Netmar Systems to attend a future meeting of the Environmental Committee to discuss a way of controlling delivery of unaddressed solicited mail (junk mail) to households that do not wish to receive it." 5.INFORMATION PRESENTATION RE: COMPREHENSIVE URBAN DESIGN STUDY - TERMS OF REFERENCE Mr. L. Masseo advised the Committee that the City of Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment had a specific initiative involving urban design and that a number of policies have been developed. Staff now intend to develop urban design guidelines and implement an urban design function within the department as both a staff team and resources are now designated. Mr. Masseo advised consultants have been retained to assist staff in this undertaking and it was staffs intention to develop these urban design standards both within City departments and organizations from outside of the City administration. He noted that meetings would be held with the consultants to develop a work program and the Committee would be updated from time to time. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned what the Committee could expect from staff for future consideration. Mr. Masseo distributed a copy of the Municipal Plan Policy dealing with this and Mr. B. Stanley commented that the Study would determine how goals connect and would involve many issues through a broad based approach. He indicated that a number of distinct phases were expected within consideration of this matter. 6. REVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Dr. J. Kay acknowledged that several months ago the Committee agreed to undertake a review and updating of the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment. At that time it had also been agreed that departments would update the Committee on their experience with the existing initiatives in the current Strategic Plan which would provide for a cycle of review and input. The Chairman asked that a schedule be developed for the Committee's next meeting in order that each department can provide input at least once during the next year. 7. NEXT MEETING - DECEMBER 14, 1994 (TENTATIVELY) The next meeting of the newly appointed 1995 Environmental Committee will tentatively be held on Wednesday, December 14, 1994. 5.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk