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Home My WebLink About1995-05-03ENVY1995-05-03 MAY 3, 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 J. Ziegler, Dr. J. Kay, Mr. M. Barker and Ms. W. Matchett. Officials Present: Mr. B. Stanley, Mr. S. Gyorffy, Mr. W. Beck, Mr. B. Musselman, Mr. L. Gordon, Mr. T. Clancy, Mr. C. Ford, Mr. M. Kemerer, Mr. B. Gulliver and Mr. L.W. Neil. 1 .INFORMATION -STRASBURG CREEK EROSION CONTROL Councillor T. Galloway advised that he wished to table an information item respecting Bio-Engineering (erosion control project) on the north branch of Strasburg Creek. He suggested the project was worth viewing by the Committee as it ties in with the Strategic Plan for the Environment relating to the change from previous concrete channelization solutions. 2. FLEET COMPONENT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA Mr. Barney Gulliver, Director of the Fleet Division, appeared as a delegation to comment on energy use/issues related to the acquisition, operations and maintenance of the City's fleet vehicles. He distributed a copy of the division's "Green Fleet Program" which is undertaken in cooperation with the City's Equipment Reserve Committee and discussed the contents by means of an overhead presentation. The following repair and servicing initiatives to benefit the Environment were presented: - alternative fuel program (propane, NGV) - use of re-refined oil - no idle policy - anti-freeze recycling units - air conditioning refrigerant recyclers - used oil filter recycling - #1 diesel fuel to reduce emissions - extended oil change intervals - vehicle life cycle costing - preventative maintenance programs - high mileage, recap tire program As part of the City's purchasing policy, the level of importance of various selection factors relating to the required vehicle tasks are evaluated and include: -initial cost - job suitability - depreciation/resale value - repair record - fuel economy - serviceability - safety record and availability of safety equipment - warranty program - order/delivery time/distribution - country of manufacture - company image/prestige - driver preference - administrative ease - insurance costs An outline of issues pertaining to air conditioning was presented dealing with necessity, maintenance, conversion of units from R12 to 134A not being cost effective, and recovery units which recover, store and re-use refrigerant. Discussion of these issues then took place. Mr. C. Ford advised that there were four initiatives in level 1 pertaining to energy: - initiative #1 is complete ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MAY 3, 1995 - 37- CITY OF KITCI:IENER - initiative #2 reads to purchase fuel efficient vehicles but fuel efficiency is in the overall 2.FLEET COMPONENT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA (CONT'D) selection criteria meaning buying the most fuel efficient vehicle given the task at hand. It was suggested the intent of initiative #2 was complete and it was agreed #2 be changed to develop a process to purchase fuel efficient vehicles. - initiative #3 re policy for selecting fuel for both new and used vehicles. Mr. Gulliver advised there is a Council Policy that natural gas be the preferred fuel but the problem is obtaining provincial funding to support it. - initiative #4 reads "undertake an extensive review of the true cost of alternative fuels". This was done and a report was presented to City Council. It was requested that a copy of the report be sent to Environmental Committee members. 3.TRANSIT COMPONENT OF LAND RESOURCES AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA Mr. Wally Beck, Director of the Transit Division, appeared as a delegation to comment on Transit Initiatives respecting environmental issues. He distributed a handout titled "Kitchener Transit: Literature Review and Transit Initiatives Dealing With Environmental Issues" which contains a listing of internal documents and external documents dealing with various issues. Internal documents deal with service standards, accessibility implementation plan, guidelines for residential design with regard to provision of transit services and City/Regional Official Plans. External documents deal with transit/subdivision design planning, environmental benefits of urban transit and Ontario's new Planning Act. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that most transit issues were dealt with as part of the City's new Municipal Plan. A number of on-going initiatives that in reality are new initiatives were also listed. These are designed to increase ridership with the recognition that the largest potential market for transit users are those people currently using automobiles. These initiatives include a time transfer system, strategic marketing plan, new fare policy/subsidized passes and parking policies involving the Universities and the high schools. It was noted that an accessibility plan should also be added to the list of new initiatives. It was agreed that these initiatives be included in the Strategic Plan. 4. LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS RE STRATEGIC PLAN As part of the review of the Strategic Plan it was suggested a list of accomplishments be developed of the original initiatives. It was agreed this would be an issue that the staff Environmental Study Group could consider to determine how best to formulate such a list and maintain it. 5.WATERLOO REGION REVIEW - SOLD WASTE & RECYCLING (SWEENEY REPORT) It was suggested that Dr. Kay should be invited to the Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting (likely May 29th) when the Sweeney Report is considered, Mr. Steve Gyorffy advised that Management Committee would be considering the Sweeney Report at its next meeting and the Environmental Committee should consider it on June 7th. 6.WASTE MANAGEMENT MAIN FUNCTIONAL AREA ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MAY 3, 1995 - 38- CITY OF KITCI:IENER Mr. S. Gyorffy, Director of Operations, reviewed the Level 1 priorities presently listed in the Strategic Plan: - initiative 4.1 to develop a standard operational policy for coordinating spill clean-up and notification between the Fire Department, Public Works and applicable provincial and federal authorities has been completed. It was agreed that the issue was an operational procedure not an operational policy. - initiative 1.1 to investigate the implications of incineration has been completed via a report. It was suggested that the issue of incineration should be raised with the new provincial government following the June 1995 provincial election, notwithstanding it was a regional government responsibility. - initiative 1.2 to develop a practice to reduce packaging has been addressed since Mr. L. Gordon made it a practice that for any large projects, no packaging is allowed on to the site (all large packaging goes back to the manufacturer). It was agreed this initiative was an on- going initiative. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the City should be stock piling and selling corrugated cardboard in view of fast rising prices for used cardboard. Mr. B. Musselman advised that all stockrooms have storage containers for cardboard that BFI services. It was noted that while the used cardboard market was profitable at this time the situation could reverse and it was agreed the City should rely on its present arrangement. -initiative 2.2 to investigate the feasibility of substituting environmentally friendly coolants for CFC's within City operated facilities. Mr. C. Ford advised that when the initiative was developed, it was an on-going concern. He stated that this initiative was essentially complete. - initiative 2.1 pertaining to recycling efforts is done as a result of the Regional Waste Master Plan with administration being carried out by the Region. Reduction Mr. S. Gyorffy distributed a summary of three new initiatives to be designated as level 1 priorities: (1) co- operate with Region to implement blue box recycling in the downtown core (1995), (2) improve leaf collection program and implement ban of leaves from household garbage (Fall 1995), (3) establish procedures required by December 1, 1995, to comply with Federal legislation governing handling of CFC's from discarded appliances. 7.WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FORESTRY SECTION - PARKS OPERATION REPORT Mr. Tom Clancy circulated two copies of the Woodland Management Program and asked that Committee members review the document and then circulate it between themselves. Mr. B. Stanley advised that when everyone had seen it, Parks staff would make a presentation to the Committee. 8.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk