HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-07ENVY1995-06-07
JUNE 7, 1995
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. with Councillor J. Ziegler acting as
Chair, with the following members present: Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. M. Barker, Dr. J. Kay and Ms. K.
Kempel. Ms. W. Matchett and Mr. D. Hilker entered the meeting after its commencement.
Officials Present: Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. B. Musselman, Mr. L. Masseo, Mr. G. Nixon, Mr. C. Ford and Mr.
L.W. Neil.
The Committee was advised that Councillor T. Galloway and Mr. B. Stanley were absent due to a conflict
of meetings.
1 .WATERLOO REGION REVIEW - SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING, DECEMBER 1994
The Committee briefly discussed with Mr. S. Gyorffy what process should be followed to communicate the
City's position on the Solid Waste and Recycling Report to the Region. It was agreed that the
recommendations coming out of the Environmental Committee would be directed to the Public
Works and Transportation Committee for consideration at its meeting on June 26 and by City
Council at its meeting on July 4, 1995. It was agreed that the Region should be advised of the
dates of the City's consideration of the report.
Dr. J. Kay referred the Committee to page 11 of the report which deals with the pros and cons of the
Region assuming total responsibility for all facets of waste management. He summarized that his
major objection to the Region assuming full responsibility was based on the fact that at the Regional
level there would be less flexibility, less adaptability and less responsiveness to what the public
wants. Further, he stated that residents look to the closest level of government for their services
and he noted that initiatives in this regard have originated at the local level before reaching
acceptance at a higher level. He expressed concern that Regional involvement in a service by
definition means it must be homogeneous to all municipalities resulting in a lowest common
denominator approach to the development and provision of service. Dr. Kay then referred to the list
of pros in favour of the Region assuming total responsibility for all facets of waste management and
stated that only two of the points put forward as pros were in fact legitimate and that the rest were
basically false. With respect to the list of cons against the Region assuming total responsibility, he
stated that all of the items listed were legitimate.
Ms. W. Matchett entered the meeting at this point.
Dr. J. Kay stated that he was experiencing more difficulty with garbage pick-up since the Region took it
over. Mr. S. Gyorffy pointed out that when the Region took over, it took on a new contractor and
that contractor was sticking to the collection rules hard and fast with no leeway whereas in the past
there had been some discretion on the part of collection personnel.
Ms. K. Kempel commented that the effect of the diffusion of responsibility for the collection of waste
results in a certain loss of personal responsibility on the part of the individual relating to collection
and waste disposal goals. Further, she stated that she was not convinced that an equity approach
was in the best interests of Kitchener. She noted that we can try to educate and develop
homeowner responsibilities but the broader the service provision becomes the more we lose
control. Ms. W. Matchett questioned how change would occur in the future and as an example
referred to the yard waste management program questioning how it would be handled in future and
whether or not the playing field was level in regard to such programs. Mr. S. Gyorffy commented
that there were some issues that the City has a definite interest in; such as programs that offer
waste reduction possibilities.
On motion by Dr. J. Kay
it was resolved:
That the following recommendation be referred to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for
consideration at its June 26th meeting when the Waterloo Region Review - Solid Waste and
Recycling is dealt with:
"That we strongly oppose the Region of Waterloo assuming full responsibility for all facets of waste
management and recommend local municipalities retain responsibility for the garbage
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES
JUNE 7, 1995
- 59-
CITY OF KITCHENER
collection program."
1 .WATERLOO REGION REVIEW - SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING, DECEMBER 1994 (Cont'd)
Dr. J. Kay referred to the concept of user fees for collection services and commented that while he could
accept a pay on a bag basis, there should be no limitation on the number of bags that may be put
out for collection. Councillor J. Ziegler noted that a user fee/bag limit collection program was full of
complications that would ultimately result in roadside dumping as an avoidance measure. He stated
that garbage collection in his view was a basic municipal service that residents were entitled to as
part of their tax bill and he was opposed to any measure that would result in a pay per bag garbage
system or limited collection system.
On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler
it was resolved:
That the following recommendation be referred to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for
consideration at its June 26th meeting when the Waterloo Region Review - Solid Waste and
Recycling is dealt with:
"That at this time, no limit be placed on the amount of curbside residential garbage pick-up and that no
user-pay fees be imposed for any excess residential garbage."
2.1CLEI - REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION OF BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
The Committee was in receipt of letters dated March 31 and May 1, 1995 from ICLEI requesting members
to provide a submission of their "Best Environmental Program" by June 15, 1995.
Mr. C. Ford questioned if the Committee wished to take advantage of the opportunity. Dr. James Kay
suggested that the Huron Natural Park project would be an appropriate submission. It was
recommended that the submission that was provided to the Canadian Association of Municipal
Administrators be utilized to send to ICLEI.
On motion by Ms. K. Kempel
it was resolved:
"That the "Huron Natural Area" project be submitted to the International Council for Local Environmental
Initiatives World Secretariat as the City of Kitchener's 'Best Environmental Program" for
inclusion in I.C.L.E.I.'s Biannual Members in Action Report."
3.1996 OPERATING BUDGET
Councillor Galloway had requested that the Committee undertake initial consideration of environmental
issues that should be addressed as part of the City's 1996 Operating Budget. In the absence of
Councillor Galloway, Mr. C. Ford advised that one of the issues was a new staff position with
respect to co-ordination of environmental issues.
4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
(a)Pesticide Application
Dr.
J. Kay advised that the Committee previously had some discussion on the issue of pesticide
application and had been provided with material from the Town of Hudson, Quebec, in this regard.
He indicated that he would like to review the issue at a future meeting. The matter of pesticide
application will be part of consideration of the Natural Areas Main Functional Area to be considered
at the Committee's July 5th meeting.
(b)Tree Cutting On Private Property
Dr. J. Kay advised that the City of Toronto has passed a by-law prohibiting people from cutting down
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES
JUNE 7, 1995 - 53-
CITY OF KITCI:IENER
trees of a certain size unless a permit was obtained; however, such permit is difficult to
4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (Cont'd)
receive. He asked that the Committee obtain further information about the Toronto by-law. Mr. L.
Masseo advised that the matter of tree cutting was one of the issues identified in the Land
Resources Main Functional Area. He indicated that staff would be doing a complete review of it and
bringing a report to the Committee later in the year.
5.CONFERENCES
Information regarding the following conferences was provided to the Committee:
(a)Third Local Government Leaders' Summit on Climate Change and ICLEI World Council and Executive
Committee Meeting, Omiya City, Japan - October 24-29, 1995.
(b)World Conference on Local Initiatives for Sustainable Cities, Yokohama, Japan - November 2-4, 1995.
Mr. C. Ford advised that he has received information from ICLEI that the host of the conference is
sponsoring 90% of the expenses in order to underwrite one delegate being sent from all ICLEI
members to the November 2-4 conference. He suggested it would be beneficial for Kitchener to
represent itself at the conference.
6.COMMUNICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (HOMEPAGE)
Ms. K. Kempel commented that it was her view the Committee needed to communicate all the things that
were being accomplished on environmental issues. In this regard, she stated that the Committee
needs to consider how to let people know what's going on and how to get more people involved and
that a means must be found to convey this information.
Mr. G. Nixon advised that staff do publish various articles respecting environmental initiatives. Dr. J. Kay
pointed out that we need to summarize what's been done recently and highlight one initiative at a
time in various publications distributed on a regular basis. Councillor C. Weylie suggested that Ms.
K. Kempel undertake this task and she agreed given that she would have time available over the
summer. Dr. J. Kay advised that he was willing to assist Ms. Kempel during the summer in concert
with Ms. Caroline Oliver of the Parks and Recreation Department. Dr. Kay also advised that he was
willing to design an environmental page in the City's Homepage that would address the
communication issue and promote initiatives. Mr. C. Ford indicated that he has previously advised
Ms. D. Robertson, the CAO's Executive Assistant, that the Environmental Committee wishes space
in the Kitchener Homepage. It was requested that Ms. D. Robertson be advised of Dr. Kay's
willingness to design an environmental page.
Mr. D. Hilker entered the meeting at this point.
7.ONTARIO'S ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY
The Committee was in receipt of letters dated April 4 and May 8, 1995 from Ball Packaging Products
Canada Inc. which had been referred to the Committee by City Administration. The letters discuss
the outcome of the government's "environmental levy" and specifically the tax on aluminum cans
that was implemented as an environmental measure and the total failure of this measure.
Councillor J. Ziegler commented, that in the past, he has favoured a deposit system for all kinds of
beverage containers and that the government should not be discriminating against any type of
container.
Dr. J. Kay expressed concern that various costs were not included when this subject has been analyzed
in the past. Mr. D. Hilker commented that aluminum appears to be cheaper on an overall basis, but
in his opinion from an environmental point of view, glass is the preferred type
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES
JUNE 7, 1995
- 54-
CITY OF KITCHENER
7.ONTARIO'S ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY (Cont'd)
of container. However, he did state that all manufacturers within the beverage container industry should
be treated equally.
On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler
it was resolved:
"Whereas letters dated April 4, 1995 and May 8, 1995 directed to The Honourable Bob Rae, Premier of
Ontario from Ball Packaging Products of Canada Inc. requested repeal of Ontario's
"Environmental Levy";
That the City of Kitchener opposes an "Environmental Levy" only on one type of beverage container but
rather supports there being similar refundable deposit requirements for all beverage cans,
beverage bottles and beverage plastic containers, with all of the containers having the same
refundable deposit varying only as to size of container, not to material of manufacture.
And further that this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Treasurer of Ontario, the Minister of
Environment & Energy, the Minister of Economic Development & Trade, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, Alcan Recycling of Canada and Ball Packaging Products Canada
Inc."
8.TIMETABLE FOR REVIEW OF REMAINING "MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREAS"
(a)Outstanding Items from Water Resources
-Mr. E. Kovacs, July 5, 1995
(b)Natural Areas - July 5, 1995
(c)Resource Consumption, Pollution and Environmental Interference - (previously scheduled to be
considered June 7, 1995 but referred to a future meeting as Mr. L. Gordon was unable to
attend).
9.TABLING OF STAFF REPORT PD 95~29
- HURON ENVIRONMENTAL AREA COOPERATIVE PROJECT
- INTERIM CONTROL BY-LAW AND ADJACENT LAND USE IMPACT STUDY
The above report was referred to the Committee by the Planning and Economic Development Committee.
The intent with regard to consideration of the report was to table it at the meeting this date and that
consideration then commence at the Committee's July 5th meeting.
10. REPORT - THE USE OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS IN KITCHENER TRANSIT, JUNE 1994
It was previously requested that the above report be circulated to the Committee.
11 .ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
L.W. Neil, AMCT
Assistant City Clerk