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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-01ENVY1995-02-01 FEBRUARY 1, 1995 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under the Councillor Jake Smola, Vice-Chair, with the following members present: Councillor C. Weylie, Ms. W. Matchett, Ms. K. Kempel, Mr. D. Hilker, Mr. K. Meinzinger, Mr. M. Barker and Dr. J. Kay. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting after its commencement and Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting just prior to its conclusion. Officials Present: Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. T. Boutilier and Mr. L.W. Neil. Councillor Jake Smola, Vice-Chair, conducted the meeting in place of Councillor T. Galloway who was committed to another meeting. 1 .VIDEO - HURON NATURAL PARK A 10 minute video of the Huron Natural Park was shown to Committee members in the Council Chambers. Mr. B. Stanley provided an explanatory introduction to the video and remarks after it was finished that provided a background to the initiative to conserve and preserve this natural area. 2.UPDATE ON THE K-W GREEN COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MEETING At Dr. J. Kay's request, the program of the January 25, 1995 meeting of the Kitchener-Waterloo Green Communities Initiative was attached to the agenda as information. Dr. Kay explained that last year the Environmental Committee was approached by a representative of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy who explained that the Green Communities Initiative of the Ministry is a program to encourage communities to set in place structures to promote the greening of Ontario's communities. He pointed out that the program currently was bringing together most participants from within the Region who have an interest in environmental issues and the program should be considered an excellent opportunity to deal with environmental issues at a regional level. Ms. Avril Fisken of the Region's Waste Reduction office appeared in support of the Green Communities Initiative. She circulated a document titled "A Strategic Plan for Kitchener Waterloo Green Communities Initiative" dated January 19, 1995 that has just been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy. She stressed that the Green Communities Initiative was an independent entity and itemized the community representatives involved whose purpose is to develop financially self sustaining programs that integrate local energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and other pollution prevention activities. One of the major activities is a home assessment of consumption. Ms. Fisken advised that in order to discuss the benefits of the program she would refer to the City of Guelph which was one of the first City's to embrace the program. She stated that Guelph has 10 full-time staff members and undertakes audits of waste, water and energy use and provides written recommendations to lower daily consumption. In terms of Guelph's experience she advised that audits were carried out on 800 homes in 1993, on 1500 homes in 1994, and an estimated 2200 homes in 1995. She noted that with the information developed through home audits, home owners could then approach Canada Trust and apply for an Enviro Loan which is an improvement loan with interest starting at prime on a variable basis depending on repayment terms. Ms. Fisken noted that the K-W GCI has applied to the Ministry for funding under the program. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this point. In response to Councillor Jake Smola she advised that the Strategic Plan clarifies the financial support required for the program which she noted after three years is expected to be self sustaining. 3. REVIEW OF "ENERGY SYSTEMS" FUNCTIONAL AREA OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Further to consideration of the Energy Systems functional area of the Strategic Plan at the Committee's January 18th meeting, Mr. C. Ford advised that he has incorporated the changes discussed at the Committee's meeting into a revised document which is appended to these minutes as information. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 1995 -6- CITY OF KITCI:IENER He pointed out that the gaps in the numbering sequence illustrate priorities that had been removed from the original Plan. Mr. Ford advised that he will be working with Mr. B. Gulliver, Director of Fleet Division, with regard to energy issues and Mr. Gulliver will then report on these issues at a future meeting. Councillor J. Ziegler referred to the problem of employees leaving the engines of City's vehicles idling and questioned if there was something that would automatically cut off the engine in such circumstances. Councillor Jake Smola advised that there was a device available for large trucks and Councillor J. Ziegler requested that staff investigate and report back on this matter. Mr. Ford advised that he would refer the issue to Mr. Gulliver. Mr. Ford advised that none of the priorities listed in the Level 2 category will be worked on actively as well as those in the Level 3 category. 4. REVIEW OF THE "LAND RESOURCES AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT" MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA Mr. B. Stanley advised that as each main functional area is reviewed and completed it was intended to incorporate them as draft revisions to the Strategic Plan document and that in this regard new Strategic Plan binders would be available to Committee members for this purpose. Mr. Stanley advised that because of the training session this date sponsored by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs respecting Bill 163, support staff were not available to fully deal with the land resources topic this date. Accordingly, he advised that he had intended to update the Committee respecting initiatives that have been completed and tabled a summary in this regard which is appended to these minutes as information. He indicated that at the Committee's March meeting staff would address the remaining initiatives including transit issues. Mr. Stanley then took the Committee through the land resource summary which he had distributed and provided additional explanation and insight relative to the information listed under the comments section. He noted that only a few items under the Level 2 category were not being addressed as well as the one issue under the Level 3 category. Mr. Stanley stated that staff intended to prepare a new set of initiatives for the Committee's consideration at the March meeting. In response to a question from Mr. K. Meinzinger, Mr. Stanley advised that at the in-house round table discussion on February 8th, it was intended that discussion take place about the role of the Environmental Committee. Mr. Stanley advised that he has reviewed the minutes of Standing Committee's of City Council and found numerous major studies that should have been brought to the attention of the Environmental Committee. If the Committee was to seek the opportunity for such input, it would have a major implication on the Committee's activities as they deal with these major studies that affect municipal policy. Also in response to Mr. Meinzinger, Mr. Stanley advised that Blair, Bechtel, Bowman Study could be brought to the Committee for its consideration of involvement in this issue. 5.IN HOUSE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION, FEBRUARY 8, 1995 After some discussion, Mr. Stanley agreed that an agenda and relevant documents pertaining to the Committee's informal in house round table discussions commencing at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, February 8th would be delivered to lay members of the Committee late in the afternoon of Friday, February 3rd. 6. UPDATE - REGIONAL REVIEW OF WASTE MANAGEMENT Dr. J. Kay questioned if there was any further information on the report prepared respecting the Regional Review of Waste Management. Councillor Jake Smola advised that it was his understanding that the final report would be sent to the Region and then referred to municipalities for input. The Committee was emphatic that the report when received be referred to the Environmental Committee ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 1995 -7- CITY OF KITCI:IENER for consideration. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting at this point. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM - ENVIRONMENTAL LOGO 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 too 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. NEXT MEETINGS (a)February 8, 1995 - In House Round Table Discussion at 5:30 p.m. (b)March 1, 1995 - Regular Meeting at 4:00 p.m. 9.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk