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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-12-06ENVY1995-12-06 DECEMBER 6, 1995 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor R. Christy and Councillors Jake Smola, J. Ziegler, T. Galloway, Ms. T. Kuntz and Messrs. R. Anjaria, M. Barker, D. Hilker, S. McCarthy and R. Porter. Officials Present: Messrs. B. Stanley, L. Masseo, W. Beck, S. Gyorffy, G. Nixon, K. Bowman, C. Ford and L.W. Neil. Others Present: Dr. J. Kay. Those attending the meeting introduced themselves following which Mayor R. Christy requested nominations for the position of Committee Chair and Committee Vice-Chair. 1. APPOINTMENTS - ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That Councillor T. Galloway be appointed Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 1996." On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Councillor Jake Smola be appointed Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 1996." Mayor R. Christy vacated the Chair which was assumed by Councillor T. Galloway. Councillor T. Galloway welcomed Committee members' particularly the four new lay appointees, to this first meeting of the newly appointed Committee. He advised that Dr. James Kay who was a member of the Committee for several years did not seek reappointment in 1996 due to other professional commitments. However, Dr. Kay will be attending the Committee meetings until April to offer input where it can assist Committee consideration of issues. 2. COMMITTEE MEETING DATE SCHEDULE The Committee considered a proposed schedule of meeting dates outlined in the agenda. Councillor T. Galloway pointed out that the Committee has generally held its meetings the first Wednesday of each month commencing at 4:00 p.m. and questioned if this posed a problem for any Committee members. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee approve holding its 1996 meetings at 4:00 p.m. on the dates listed below, except as otherwise noted: Wednesday, January 10 (only if necessary and at 4:30 p.m.) " February 7 " March 6 " " April 3 " May 1 Wednesday, " July 3 October 2 June 5 " September 4 November 6 December 4" TERMS OF REFERENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AND STAFF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY GROUP The Committee was in receipt of Terms of Reference for both the Environmental Committee and the Staff Environmental Study Group identified as Appendix "A" and "B" respectively in the Strategic Plan for the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 1995 COMMITFEE -99- CITY OF KITCHENER TERMS OF REFERENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AND STAFF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY GROUP (CONT'D) Mr. B. Stanley advised that these Terms of Reference had been circulated so as to acquaint the Committee role to new members and to illustrate how resources have been structured to assist the Committee. He pointed out that the Terms of Reference were recently reviewed and updated prior to undertaking a revision process to update the Strategic Plan for the Environment. He explained that staff from various City departments with an interest in environmental issues were members of the Staff Environmental Study Group whose Terms of Reference serve to support the Environmental Committee. Mr. Stanley advised that he carries out a role of Chair to the Staff Environmental Study Group and functions as a link between the staff group and the Chair of the Environmental Committee. MONTHLY TRANSIT PASS - CONSIDERATION OF REDUCTION FOR CITY STAFF Councillor T. Galloway advised that Councillor C. Weylie, who was unable to attend this meeting since she was acting as host for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board Meeting, had requested that the issue of a $20.00 reduction in the cost of monthly transit passes for City staff be considered. Councillor Galloway pointed out that background to this issue related to City Council's decision to reduce the cost of monthly parking from $60.00 to $40.00 for City staff working in the downtown core. It has been suggested that a similar benefit be extended to those City staff who purchase monthly transit passes and the Environmental Committee was requested to consider the matter. Mr. W. Beck, Director of Transit, attended the meeting to discuss this issue with the Committee. He commented that philosophically from a staff perspective, higher parking charges were actually more desirable so as to encourage heavier transit use whereas any subsidization of parking sends an environmentally unfriendly message. Accordingly, he stated that he would like to see a greater subsidy amount directed to monthly transit pass customers. In response to a question, Councillor Galloway advised that the City has lost monthly staff parkers as a result of lower parking rates being available elsewhere. He noted it was hoped a reduction from $54.00 to $34.00 for a monthly transit pass would attract new customers and more revenue to the transit system. Mr. Beck agreed the proposed reduction could make the transit option more competitive. In response to Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor Galloway advised that the spirit of the reduction in monthly parking charges was to address an inequity experienced between City staff working in the downtown core compared to those working out of other City facilities outside of the core where free parking was available. Ms. Theresa Kuntz, questioned if it was fair to offer the transit fare reduction to City staff but not to the general public. Mr. Beck commented that industry has subsidized transit passes for their employees. In this regard, he made reference to a taxation problem relating to the whole issue in that free parking is not identifiable as a tax benefit but corporate subsidized reductions in transit fare are a taxable benefit. Councillor Jake Smola commented that from an environmental perspective, free parking programs should be opposed. However, he recommended deferral of any decision on the issue of a reduction in the cost of monthly transit passes so that Councillor C. Weylie could provide comment on the matter. Also, he asked that Mr. W. Beck obtain some data on the level of employee interest in the proposal and an estimate of what a $34.00 monthly transit pass would mean in new city staff ridership on the system. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola, the Committee agreed to defer and refer consideration of this matter to the next meeting to allow Councillor C. Weylie and Mr. W. Beck to provide further information. OVERVIEW BY STAFF OF INITIATIVES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Mr. B. Stanley noted that the recently approved Strategic Plan for the Environment had been provided to new Committee members. He advised that staff would present a brief overview and touch on key issues that staff hope to deal with in 1996. Mr. Stanley pointed out that original 5. OVERVIEW BY STAFF OF INITIATIVES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 1995 COMMITFEE -100- CITY OF KITCHENER (CONT'D) Strategic Plan was adopted in 1992 and that during 1995 the Committee had reviewed and revised the Plan, which has now been approved by City Council. Mr. L. Masseo commented that the Strategic Plan was originally developed as a document to itemize and prioritize initiatives of City of Kitchener corporate activities relating to the environment. The document served as a strategy to address various in-house initiatives and cut across departments to accomplish these initiatives. The original document contained seven functional areas relating to the environment along with a mission statement which set out the frame work for the Plan. He explained how initiatives were considered and approved within a budgetary context. As to future directions, a complete Environmental Management System would be the next step from the current strategic plan approach. Councillor T. Galloway advised the Committee of the very favourable comments he has received as to the uniqueness of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment. Various staff then took the Committee through Level 1 initiatives of each functional area and provided explanation and/or comment on the intent of each initiative and anticipated timing in some cases. Following his presentation of initiatives under Natural and Recreational Amenity Areas, Mr. G. Nixon advised of a new regional Stewardship Network Program designed to reach private landowners which would include forest lands within Kitchener. This program would fall under the Environmental Education and Public Awareness functional area and include the following partners: private landowners, Region of Waterloo, Ministry of Natural Resources, Grand River Conservation Authority, and the Cities of Cambridge, Waterloo and Kitchener. GREEN COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE (GCI) Dr. J. Kay advised that he had represented the Environmental Committee on the Green Communities Initiative in 1995 and that a new appointment should be made to the GCI. He informed the Committee that an emergency meeting of the GCI had been called for December 7th to deal with provincial funding support, pointing out that funding still exists for the initial plan of the GCI but there no longer were funds available for implementation. He commented that the GCI generates significant economic activity and is strongly supported by business. Dr. Kay emphasized that it was important to continue representation and input from the Kitchener Environmental Committee. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That Mr. Rajiv Anjaria and Mr. Robert Porter be appointed as the City of Kitchener representatives on the "Green Community Initiative" sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Energy and by the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG), for a term to expire November 30, 1996." INFORMATION ITEMS The following information items were attached to the agenda: a) Copy of November 1, 1995 Committee Minutes (new citizen appointees only) b) Copy of Strategic Plan for the Environment (new citizen appointees only) c) Saitama Summit and Biennial ICLEI Council Meeting - letter dated November 7 from Councillor T. Galloway previously distributed to the Committee (copy for new citizen appointees) 7. INFORMATION ITEMS (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 1995 COMMITFEE -101- CITY OF KITCHENER d) Region of Waterloo - Environews Articles (Fall/Winter 1995) · Green on the Grand · Green Communities Initiative (GCI) NEXT MEETING The Committee agreed to hold its next meeting on Wednesday, January 10, necessary and commencing at 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. 1996 only if L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk