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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-01ENVY1995-03-01 MARCH 1, 1995 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under Councillor T. Galloway, Chair, with the following members present: Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor J. Ziegler, Dr. J. Kay, Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. M. Barker, Ms. W. Matchett and Mr. K. Meinzinger. Ms. K. Kempel entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. B. Liddle, Mr. R. Wyatt, Mr. S. Gyorffy and Mr. L.W. Neil. Councillor T. Galloway thanked Councillor Jake Smola for chairing the February 1st Environmental Committee meeting and also thanked Mr. B. Stanley for his work in putting together the material for the Committee's February 8th Round Table meeting. 1. REVIEW OF "LAND RESOURCES AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT" MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA Mr. L. Masseo advised that a new list of initiatives that staff propose be included in the "Land Resources and Growth Management" Main Functional Area has been developed. He noted that this list includes only initiatives that are related to functions of the Department of Planning and Development. He then reviewed the Level 1, 2 and 3 priorities in the proposed list of new initiatives which is attached hereto and forms part of these minutes. Mr. Masseo pointed out that Level 2 priorities were normally issues that were of a little bit longer term (over one year) and often affected by some staffing constraint. Mr. B. Stanley commented that Bill 163 had some effect in this area and suggested staff could provide an outline of provincial policy statements. It was agreed that as a future agenda item staff make a presentation respecting Bill 163 and environmental issues. Mr. Masseo commented that Level 3 priorities were mostly wish list items that could not be done because of a lack of means at present but it was his expectation that some of them will eventually be done. Mr. B. Stanley clarified that the process to develop a new Strategic Plan for the Environment will involve the Environmental Study Group taking all of the information put forward to the Committee and consolidating it into new draft summary tables which will then be presented to the Committee for additional discussion. Further, he agreed that as part of the process, the tables in the original Strategic Plan would have completion dates added so as to clarify disposition of each item for record purposes. 2.REVIEW OF THE "WATER RESOURCES" MAIN FUNCTION AREA Mr. Blair Liddle appeared before the Committee respecting the "Water Resources" Main Functional Area, excepting water supply issues which will be dealt with by Mr. E. Kovacs at a future meeting as he was not able to be present at the meeting this date. Mr. Liddle pointed out that his primary objective was to ensure proper standards of quality for all engineering infrastructure. He referred to the philosophy and the underlying assumptions of water resources in the Strategic Plan and also remarked on the change in approach that has taken place with respect to the "development" of water courses in the last number of years. This change has seen thinking change from channelization to naturalization of water courses. Ms. K. Kempel entered the meeting at this point. Mr. B. Liddle then reviewed the Level 1 and 2 priorities. In reference to priority 4.1 to develop a formalized program to monitor siltation controls, he advised that staff do not have a program and noted that engineering consultants were relied on through the subdivision agreement in this matter. Councillor Jake Smola questioned if storm water management controls could be enforced through by-law enforcement staff. Following further discussion the Committee agreed on the importance of priority 4.1 and it was requested that siltation controls be referred to the staff Environmental Study Group for refocusing. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MARCH 1, 1995 - ~4- CITY OF KITCI:IENER 2.REVIEW OF THE "WATER RESOURCES" MAIN FUNCTION AREA (CONT'D) Mr. Liddle advised that Mr. E. Kovacs would be commenting on priority 3.3. In reference to priority 1.1, Mr. Liddle advised that funds were available in the Capital Budget to introduce water quality measures to storm water management facilities. Finally, Mr. Liddle advised that Level 2 priorities 3.1 and 3.2 would be picked up next time. In reference to priority 3.1, Mr. D. Hilker stated that it was his recollection the Committee in the past considered cisterns and that the intention had been to consider the matter further. Councillor T. Galloway commented that building regulations were not favourable to cisterns. 3. OUTSTANDING STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW ITEMS (a)Energy- Mr. B. Gulliver (b)Land Resources/Growth Management - Mr. W. Beck (Transit) (c)Water Resources - Mr. E. Kovacs 4.AGENDA FOR MARCH 25TH ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP The Committee was advised that the first of two advertisements of the March 25th Environmental Workshop has been placed in the K-W Record. Invitational letters have been sent to: - all known environmental groups - adopt-a-program coordinators - community neighbourhood associations - other community groups Mr. L. Masseo asked the Committee for the names of others who might have an interest. Dr. J. Kay suggested that the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) and Avril Fisken of the Region's Waste Reduction Office be approached for additional names. Mr. Masseo advised that in keeping with an unstructured approach to the workshop, agencies had not been contacted. Dr. J. Kay suggested that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Grand River Conservation Authority should be notified of the event in order that their staff be aware of it and may come as interested individuals. He also suggested that "Friends of the Environment" be contacted as well as the outdoor coordinators for the public and separate school boards. Mr. K. Meinzinger suggested a meeting advertising flyer be posted in community centres and the libraries. Dr. J. Kay advised that he would prepare something and put it on the Internet. Councillor T. Galloway advised that Mr. Bob Burtt of the K-W Record should be invited and that he would contact Mr. Burtt respecting notice of the meeting and coverage. It was also suggested that persons who previously applied for appointment to the Environmental Committee be advised of the March 25th workshop. Mr. B. Stanley then took the Committee through the draft agenda for the March 25th workshop. Councillor T. Galloway requested that planning for the day include a contingency to move from the Council Chambers to the Conestoga Room if there were only 30 people attending the workshop rather than the expected higher attendance. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that at the conclusion of the workshop, those present be invited to go on a tour of City Hall to observe environmental features of the building such as the co-generation unit, cistern, etc. The Committee gave detailed consideration to the draft agenda and substantial revisions were made to the format and proposed time periods which were noted by Mr. Stanley and which now provide for two break out sessions and final presentations and wrap up followed by a tour of environmental features of the City Hall building. Mr. Stanley advised that some of the main functional areas of the Strategic Plan would have to be combined for purposes of the workshop. Also, he noted that as registrations are received, staff will try to keep track of what people are interested in and build in some flexibility with respect to the break out groups. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MARCH 1, 1995 - ~5- CITY OF KITCI:IENER 4.AGENDA FOR MARCH 25TH ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP (CONT'D) The following Committee members agreed to act as group facilitators at the March 25th workshop: Ms. K. Kempel, Ms. W. Matchett, Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. K. Meinzinger and Dr. J. Kay. Mr. B. Stanley advised that name tags would be prepared for Environmental Committee members and that the Environmental Study Group would meet to assign staff to assist the group facilitators. 5. WATERLOO REGION REVIEW - SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING, DECEMBER 1994 Councillor T. Galloway advised that the Waterloo Region Review Report - Solid Waste and Recycling dated December 1994 was just received and delivered by courier to Environmental Committee members yesterday. Councillor Galloway questioned what the timetable was for regional consideration. Mr. S. Gyorffy advised that he did not know nor had he seen any formal communication on the report from the Region to local council's. Councillor Galloway noted that the Environmental Committee previously expressed a desire to review and comment on the report. He also noted that he suspected Regional Council would deal directly with the report rather than a Regional Standing Committee. Dr. J. Kay commented that there were flaws and contradictions in the report and that he would like the opportunity to fully discuss it. Mr. S. Gyorffy noted that the garbage collection issue seemed to be most awkward. Councillor Jake Smola requested that staff contact the Region to determine the Region's time frame for consideration. Councillor T. Galloway advised that depending on the response by the Region, the report be put on the Environmental Committee's next agenda only if necessary to meet a regional response time; otherwise, it was preferred to review the report at a later date. 6.INFORMATION - TOWN OF HUDSON QUEBEC, BY-LAW NO. 270 CONCERNING PESTICIDES AND A QUEBEC SUPERIOR COURT JUDGEMENT RESPECTING LEGALITY OF THE BY-LAW Mr. D. Hilker advised that sometime ago he had referred to a no spraying by-law ordinance in the Town of Hudson Quebec. In this regard he tabled copies with the Committee Secretary of the Town of Hudson's by-law no. 270 concerning pesticides and a Quebec Superior Court Judgement dated August 19, 1993 upholding the legality of the by-law. Copies will be provided for the information of the Committee. 7.NEXT MEETING - APRIL 5, 1995 The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 1995. In addition to continuing review of the Environmental Strategic Plan, the following will be considered: (a)Unsolicited "Junk" Mail Councillor Jake Smola noted that a recycling flyer just distributed by the Region to all households contained contact names to stop unsolicited mail. Listed in the flyer were: Canadian Direct Marketing Association 1 Concord Gate, Suite 607 Toronto, Ontario M3C 3N6 Telephone No. (416) 391-2362 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MARCH 1, 1995 - ~6- CITY OF KITCI:IENER 7.NEXT MEETING - APRIL 5, 1995 (CONT'D) Netmar Systems Inc./Pennysaver 685 Wabanaki Drive Kitchener, Ontario N2C 2G3 Telephone No. (519) 894-1411 (b)Report on Environmental Logo Use At the Committee's February 1st meeting, the use of the City's Environmental Logo on City letterhead was questioned. Concerns were raised regarding whether or not it was appropriate, that the colours were different than those originally developed and that there were simply to many colours. It was requested that a report be obtained from the Department of General Services and City Clerk respecting costs of the logo and the possibility of reducing the number of colours used to two colours. 8.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk