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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-07ENVY1994-09-07 SEPTEMBER 7, 1994 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES 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: Councillors C. Weylie, T. Galloway and C. Zehr and Dr. J. Kay and Messrs. N. Robertson, R. Tiffin and D. Hilker. Officials Present: Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. P. Wetherup, Mr. B. Page, Mr. T. Clancy, Ms. D. Arnold and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1 ."Revised Draft" By-law re Composters and Digesters The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum dated August 31, 1994 from Ms. D. Arnold, Assistant City Solicitor, to which was attached a draft by-law reflecting certain changes discussed at the Committee's August 17th meeting. The changes suggested at that meeting were itemized in her memorandum. The Committee reviewed the second draft of the amending by-law and suggested certain language change. Also, it was agreed that clause (b) be revised to add reference to "house or residence" in the 4 metre distance separation criteria. Clause (f) was revised to read that only yard waste may be composted in a pile. The Committee indicated that it was in support of the proposed by-law as revised. On motion by Councillor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the draft by-law dated August 31, 1994 to amend Chapter 650 (Lot Maintenance) relative to composting and more particularily with regard to compost containers and digesters, as revised September 7, 1994, be referred to City Council." 2.Tree Management Policy (Staff Report PD 45/93 - Latest Revised Report) Mr. Brian Page, Site Plan Co-ordinator, Department of Planning & Development, appeared before the Committee to address any concerns within the latest revised report of proposed Tree Management Policy. He commented that at the last Committee meeting the $1,000.00 deposit for treed lots or blocks had been an issue of serious concern with the Kitchener-Waterloo Home Builders Association and that a meeting to discuss this issue had been held with the Association's Municipal Liaison Committee. As a result of that meeting, he advised that an additional recommendation No.2.8 had been added to the report which reads: "That the amount of securities for lot grading and tree management be referred to the C.I.P. Committee dealing with subdivision approvals, and subsequently, submit a report to Council for their consideration and approval." Mr. B. Stanley advised that it was intended that the Tree Management Policy report be submitted to the Planning and Economic Development Committee for approval at its September 19th meeting which would be prior to the C.I.P. Committee dealing with recommendation No.2.8. Mr. B. Page commented that there are a few amendments that are going to be proposed to Planning and Economic Development Committee as a result of most recent considerations of the report. In this regard, he noted that recommendation No.2.5 would be revised to indicate that clauses contained in Appendix 'H' will only be included for subdivisions where the General Vegetation Overview has identified areas within the subdivision containing trees worth saving. Also, he commented that with Iotless blocks there was often not enough information to determine if tree savings are possible and, therefore, it had been recommended that this matter be added to recommendation No.2.8 as referral to the C. I.P. Committee for further consideration. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway, it was agreed that the recommendations contained in Staff Report PD 45/93 - Tree Management Policy and the revisions noted by Mr. Page this date, be endorsed and referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee for its consideration. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1994 - 31- CITY OF KITCHENER 3.Terms of Reference - Environmental Committee The Committee initially considered its Terms of Reference at the meeting held July 6th. City Council at its meeting on July 11, 1994 referred the Committee's recommendation back to the Committee for further consideration. Mr. B. Stanley commented that there were a few clauses in which further consideration was warranted, being clause 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5. The Committee then discussed its Terms of Reference and made a minor revision to clause 2.1 as well as reformatting clause 2.3 and re-writing clauses 2.4 and 2.5. Councillor C. Weylie advised the Committee that she was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and would be sitting on the Transportation Committee and the Environmental Committee of the Board. She advised that it was her expectation she would be bringing material and ideas from FCM to this Committee for its information and consideration. However, she noted that such activity would likely fall into the classification of development of programs rather than promotion. Discussion of the responsibilities in the Terms of Reference followed and Councillor C. Zehr stated that the primary focus of the Committee should be to 3romote and that the Committee ensure that initiatives were each considered individually. On motion by Councillor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the following revised Terms of Reference of the Environmental Committee be approved: 1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE 1.1The Environmental Committee is an Advisory Committee to Council or to the appropriate Standing Committee. 1.2The 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 City Administration. 1.3The Environmental Committee will consider community outreach programs to promote environmental awareness. 2.0RESPONSIBILITIES 2.1To hear delegations, review reports on any subject falling within the Committee's mandate and, where appropriate, advise Council directly or through the appropriate Standing Committee. 2.2To provide guidance and direction to the City's Environmental Study Group in the maintenance, review and implementation of the City's Environmental Strategic Plan. 2.3To provide liaison between the City and the community including individuals, businesses, and industry concerning environmental matters. 2.4To promote and initiate the development of short-term, intermediate and long-term corporate environmental programs. 2.5 To promote and initiate the development of short-term, intermediate and long- term community based environmental programs. 3.Terms of Reference - Environmental Committee (Cont'd) 3.0MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION ENVIRONMENTAL COMMI1-FEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 1994 CITY OF KITCHENER 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 be appointed by Council. 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. 3.3Minutes will be kept of each meeting with secretarial services provided by the staff of the City Clerk's Department. 3.4Meetings will be held monthly or as called by due notice." 4.Adopt-Your-Environment Volunteer Recruitment Mr. G. Nixon advised the Committee that there were 3 vacancies for the position of Ward Co-ordinator in Wards 2, 3 and 7. He advised that recently there was a change of Co-ordinator in Ward 5. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested the Department of Parks & Recreation place an advertisement outlining the need for a volunteer for these 3 specific Wards. As well, it was suggested that the Wards be specifically named in any advertisement and that solicitation also take place in the Leisure Magazines and by writing to the Community Centres within the Wards affected. Mr. D. Hilker pointed out that a number of senior citizen groups were very active in environmental issues and suggested that staff also send them a letter soliciting both their involvement and a possible volunteer for the Ward Co-ordinator position. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the Field Naturalists Organization should also be notified. Mr. Hilker commented that Field Naturalists were a Region-wide organization and not limited to the City of Kitchener but asked that staff address a request letter to him and he would present it at the next Field Naturalists meeting. Councillor J. Ziegler directed that staff undertake all of the initiatives suggested in order to fill the 3 vacant Ward Co-ordinator positions. 5.Cancellation of November 2, 1994 Meetinq Councillor J. Ziegler advised that it had been decided to cancel the Committee's meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, 1994 because of the November 14th Municipal Election. 6. Next Meetinq - October 5, 1994 The next meeting of the Environmental Committee will be held on Wednesday, October 5, 1994. 7.Adiournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk