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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-11ENVY1996-09-11 SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. under Councillor Jake Smola, Vice-Chair, with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie and J. Ziegler, Ms. T. Kuntz and Mr. D. Hilker. Councillor T. Galloway and Mr. R. Anjaria entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Messrs. J. Gazzola, B. Stanley, L. Masseo, C. Ford, T. Clancy and L.W. Neil. Others Present: Ms. D. Hartman 1. STAFF REPORT PD 96~78 - FULL LINE MAPPING - STRASBURG CREEK WATERSHED The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/78 dated August 19, 1996 dealing with an issue relative to the Fill Line Mapping Registration for the Strasburg Creek Watershed. Mr. L. Masseo advised that the matter of fill line mapping had been brought to the Environmental Committee at a previous meeting. He indicated that the City together with the Grand River Conservation Authority has established draft fill lines through regulation which must be registered with the Province. Fill line mapping delineates areas of the watershed which would be adversely affected by the indiscriminate placement of fill. Establishment of such fill line is one of the methods of regulating development within potentially sensitive areas of the watershed and of protecting natural areas from the impacts of urban development. Mr. Masseo pointed out that the GRCA has been informed by the Province that there will be a substantial delay in provincial consideration of the GRCA application to have this mapping registered as an amendment to its current Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways Regulation and that there was the possibility the amendment may not be registered at all. He asked that the Committee endorse the recommendation in the staff report requesting City Council to lobby politically at the Provincial Level for assistance in resolving and expediting this matter with provincial authorities. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting at this point. Mr. D. Hilker questioned if the problem at the provincial level was budget related given the staff downsizing that has occurred. Mr. Masseo advised that he had no information on the reason for the delay. Councillor T. Galloway commented that the provincial in-action was clearly related to the province's intent to retract on environmental legislation. He expressed serious concern over this issue as it has a substantial impact on municipal development planning. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee recommend the following resolution to the Planning and Economic Development Committee: That City Council inform Gary Leadston, Kitchener-Wilmot MPP and Wayne Wettlaufer, Kitchener MPP, of its concern with the substantial delay at the provincial level and the potential jeopardy of the Fill Line Mapping registration for the Strasburg Creek Watershed and request their assistance in expediting such registration for this critical natural area and further, that this concern be expressed directly to the Minister of Natural Resources." Councillor T. Galloway assumed the Chair at this point. USED OIL BURNING (WASTE DERIVED FUEL) FURNACES The matter of used oil burning furnaces was first raised at the Committee's May 1st meeting and discussed again at the June 5th meeting at which time staff were asked to obtain information on WDF furnaces which has now been circulated. Councillor Jake Smola commented that he had raised concern regarding the possibility that contaminants were present in used oil being burnt and the lack of monitoring by the Province. 2. USED OIL BURNING (WASTE DERIVED FUEL) FURNACES (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER Also, he noted that another result of the burning was a recyclable material no longer being available for recycling. Mr. C. Ford commented that the information brochure distributed does not address the matter of concern over the burning of oil. He explained how the furnace and tank system operate noting that the sludge in the oil settles out and the oil in the upper part of the tank is burnt. Mr. Ford stated that the issue of concern was the need for the oil to be tested. Also, he pointed out that the ideal method of fuel storage was to have two tanks, with only one being used at a time while the other was in a settling process. Mr. Ford suspects that most operators have only one tank and that its content was not being tested when filled. In reference to the City's operations, it has three areas that collect used motor oil but it was his view that the two tank system was financially not cost effective. Finally, he commented that if small operators pay close attention to their WDF furnace system it was a good method of dealing with waste oil; otherwise, it could be environmentally dangerous. Mr. R. Anjaria entered the meeting at this point. In response to Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. Ford noted that with a two tank WDF system, the approximate cost was up to $14,000 and a payback of at least seven years was not sufficiently attractive. Councillor Jake Smola asked the Committee to deal with the concept of whether it supported burning used oil as a fuel source or favoured continuous recycling of used oil through cleaning and remanufacturing. Councillor T. Galloway commented that the Ministry of the Environment does not have the required staff to do necessary inspections of these systems. Mr. L. Masseo noted that in the Waterloo area, there is a higher than normal percentage of WDF furnaces that are not in compliance with provincial legislation. Mr. B. Stanley commented that he suspects owners likely view the regulations for WDF furnaces as onerous. Mr. D. Hilker questioned if the City was in a position to determine if the furnaces are or are not clean burning. Mr. C. Ford stated that the issue was whether remanufacturing oil is prudent in the long run given that the earth is running out of oil. Councillor J. Ziegler indicated support for the remanufacturing of oil rather than burning as the preferred method of dealing with used oil. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Honourable Norm Sterling, Minister of Environment & Energy be advised that the City of Kitchener, through its Environmental Committee, supports the principle of cleaning, recycling and re-manufacture of used oil on the basis that used oil as a resource can be renewed and does not support burning used oil as a disposal solution within waste derived fuel (WDF) furnaces given that a non-renewable resource is being lost by choosing not to recycle, and further, That this resolution also be sent to the Environmental Group of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario." ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER OF ONTARIO Further to an e-mail message sent to members of City Council and City staff, Mr. B. Stanley confirmed that the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario was planning to make a presentation to City Council and the Environmental Committee on Wednesday September 25, 1996 in the Council Chambers between 10:30 am and noon. He invited all members of the Environmental Committee to attend as well as staff on the Environmental Staff Group and asked that Committee members take it upon themselves to make any other outside groups aware that they were welcome to attend the presentation that date. In response to Councillor T. Galloway, Mr. Stanley advised that it was his assumption the Environmental Commissioner would be undertaking to promote this event. Background material relating to the Environmental Commissioner was included with the agenda this date. 4. REGION OF WATERLOO ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER Household Hazardous Waste Program Improvements As information, the Committee was provided with a copy of a Waterloo Region Engineering Report dated July 3, 1996 on Household Hazardous Waste Program Improvements and the resolution passed by the Regional Municipality in this regard on July 11, 1996. Rain Barrel Pilot Project The Committee was provided with a copy of a Regional Engineering Report dated August 14, 1996 dealing with the Rain Barrel Pilot Project which staff recommended be approved. Councillor T. Galloway advised that the Engineering Committee rejected the project on the basis that savings were unsubstantiated and of questional payback. He noted that it was the Committee's view that required funding could be spent more effectively in other areas such as the Iow flush toilet program. Expansion of 1996 Toilet Replacement Program The Committee was in receipt of a Regional Engineering Report dated August 14, 1996 dealing with expansion of the 1996 Toilet Replacement Program and a recommendation of approval from staff. Councillor Galloway advised that the rebate is reduced from $75 to $50, that an additional $100,000 budget would be added to the program and that this program was approved by the Region. GREEN REGION PROJECT IN STORSTROM COUNTY, DENMARK The Committee was provided with information on the Green Region Project undertaken in Storstrom County, Denmark. ENVIRON MENTAL AWARDS The Committee was advised that the following awards were officially presented to the City by the Chamber of Commerce at the June 17, 1996 City Council meeting: Comprehensive Energy Award (in recognition of the City's Energy Management Program since 1990) Award of Merit, General Ecology - Canada Trust and Friends of the Environment (in recognition of the City's involvement in the Huron Natural Park) FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES MEETING Councillor C. Weylie provided a summary report of the meeting of the Working Group on Community Energy Systems to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities which took place in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory on September 5, 1996 and referred it to Mr. C. Ford. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS Councillor C. Weylie noted that the Committee in the past has considered and expressed concerns regarding the matter of electromagnetic fields. She advised that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities took no action on this matter but pointed out that the City's planners have made every attempt to make sure that new subdivision development is placed as far away as possible from transmission lines. Councillor Weylie passed a report entitled "Municipal Primer on ElectroMagnetic Fields", FCM dated September 1996 to Mr. C. Ford for information. CHATELAINE MAGAZINE ARTICLE - HOW CLEAN ARE CANADIAN CITIES Councillor C. Weylie referred the Committee to a Chatelaine Magazine article ranking Canada's 25 largest Cities in terms of air and surface water quality. She provided the article for circulation as information to the Committee with the next agenda. 10. SPONSORSHIP ARTICLE RE TOBACCO COMPANIES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 1996 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor C. Weylie provided an information article to Mr. T. Clancy for his review that deals with the matter of sponsorships by tobacco companies. 11. LAWN BOWLING GREENS RE PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS Councillor Jake Smola advised that he had received a telephone call from an individual representing a pesticide action group that has been established and is expressing concern with regard to how spraying or what level of spraying would be undertaken at the lawn bowling greens. Councillor Smola advised that he investigated the intention in this regard and has found that only spot spraying is intended along with a fungicide to be applied every six weeks. Further, he noted that signage would be placed at the site the day before the actual spraying takes place as well as the day after. 12. WATERLOO WELLINGTON AIRPORT RE NIGHT LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS Mr. D. Hilker commented that residents in the East Ward are being impacted by the noise of regular landings and takeoffs by planes at Waterloo Wellington Airport during the middle of the night. Mr. B. Stanley commented that federal zoning applied to the airport lands and lands affected on the runway system and noted that the zoning requirements are for the flight approach and do not relate to noise levels resulting from the planes themselves. He did note that new noise standards have just been published and are being circulated at this time. The subject was discussed and it was agreed that the landings by these jets at almost any hour of the night would probably be related to the need for just in time delivery for some manufacturing firms as well as emergency repair of manufacturing equipment. It was noted that the role of the Waterloo Wellington Airport was primarily cargo related. Further discussion took place and it was suggested that the City make its concern known to the Manager of Airport Operations and request information as to the number of flights operating between midnight and 6 am at the airport. Once a reply is received and the Committee has further discussed the matter it may wish to approach the Transportation Committee of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with a request that it review the subject. 13. GREEN ON THE GRAND It was suggested that staff consider holding the Committee's November meeting at the Green on the Grand. 14. NEXT MEETING a) Environmental Commissioner meeting with City Council and Environmental Committee - Wednesday September 25 at 10:30 am in the Council Chambers b) Regular Meeting - Wednesday October 2, 1996 at 4:00 pm 15. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m. Assistant City Clerk