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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-01ENVY1996-05-01 MAY 1, 1996 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: Councillors C. Weylie and J. Ziegler, Ms. T. Kuntz, Mr. D. Hilker and Mr. R. Anjaria. Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Messrs. B. Stanley, S. Gyorffy, L. Masseo, T. Boutilier, T. Clancy and L.W. Neil. 1. UPDATE - INTERNET - HOMEPAGE (CITY OF KITCHENER) Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Staff Environmental Study Group has meet with Mr. David Milne and discussed what was the best way to incorporate an environmental component on the Internet. He indicated that it was the feeling that time sensitive environmental items should be listed in the hot topics section with a link to an environmental section. In response to a question, he commented that development of a page on environmental issues was appropriate and that an attractive summation of the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment could be included along with an option for downloading to allow for full access to the Plan. It was also indicated that Huron Natural Area information could be incorporated in the same manner. As well, information could be placed on the Internet regarding significant future Environmental Committee agenda items, notices of meetings respecting environmental assessments and other special issues concerning matters of environmental interest. Mr. Stanley advised that two or three persons would work with David Milne to develop the environmental page. Councillor J. Ziegler then posed questions as to the value of the page, the cost of staff time and why the City would want to spend taxpayer's money in this regard, particularly as to building in future costs for ongoing revision to the information. Mr. Stanley advised that the value of the environmental page was in publicizing the City's environmental initiatives and that as for staff time, it was expected that updates might be required once per month. Councillor C. Weylie noted that Ms. D. Robertson was updating the HomePage anyway and could include brief environmental topics as part of that process. Mr. L. Masseo advised that most of the information would be based on existing material and that the entire update process would have minimal impact. Councillor C. Weylie commented that an example of a pertinent question for Members of Council was what residents wish to do with leaves and the HomePage represented a mechanism to survey residents in this regard for a response. Ms. T. Kuntz questioned how many users the HomePage had locally and Councillor C. Weylie advised that there was a large number in K-W; however, Councillor T. Galloway commented that the number of users still represented a small percentage of the population. Mr. T. Clancy suggested that future benefit of the HomePage will be in the provision of information and that it would be a time-saver by providing the public with information access without incurring costs related to staff repeatedly providing such information directly. Mr. B. Stanley indicated that the staff group would continue it's discussions and develop a timetable for an environmental page. Councillor C. Weylie commented that an example of issues that should be included under Hot Topics would be the ceremony taking place at Westheights Pond recognizing preservation work and the public walk that is planned in the Huron Natural Area. 1994 AIR QUALITY DATA SUMMARY FOR REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO AND THE COUNTIES OF WELLINGTON AND BRANT The Committee was previously in receipt of a letter dated February 2, 1996 from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy along with the above noted report dated January 1996. These reports have been received annually in the past. Mr. B. Stanley commented that the relocation of the Kitchener monitoring station has probably had some impact on the results detailed in the report. Notwithstanding the station relocation within the City, the trend appears to be that air quality problems were declining or at the very least stabilized. In general, the air quality in the Region is very good except for the problem related to ozone depletion. Mr. D. Hilker questioned if there was a comparative point at which concern for the situation should be expressed. Mr. B. Stanley commented that the same rating scale was used throughout Canada and that overall the trends in air quality were improving. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MAY 1, 1996 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. PD 96/21 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES - LOCATION STUDY The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/21 dated April 15, 1996 entitled "Hazardous Waste Management Facilities - Location Study". Before considering the Staff Report, Councillor J. Ziegler raised the issue that has come to the City's attention respecting the abandonment by Falcon Environmental Inc. of their Huron Park Transfer Facility at 260 Shoemaker Street in January 1996. He questioned how such an occurrence could be prevented from happening in the future, particularly given the assurances and mechanisms in place relative to monitoring of such facilities. Mr. L. Masseo distributed a report dated April 30, 1996, which addresses questions that City Council has raised as to: why Falcon Environmental Inc. was able to exceed it's volume limits, why the City was not formally notified of the facility closure, what materials are on site and what could be done in the future to prevent a similar occurrence. Mr. Masseo advised that Falcon Environmental Inc. was operating a hazardous waste facility that picked up such waste from industrial users, stored them in bulk and then transported them to a facility for proper disposal. He indicated that routine inspections are carried out two to three times annually by Ministry of Environment & Energy staff and that in September 1995 the Ministry inspected and determined that Falcon was nominally over the maximum number of quantity of waste product permitted on the site. This situation was addressed and rectified in October 1995. Subsequently, Falcon Environmental informed the Ministry that they intended to close the operation and the Ministry began to prepare standard notification of the closure for the information of concerned agencies. However, Falcon requested the Ministry to delay their notification procedure, as they were in the midst of negotiations for sale and operation of the business. The Ministry then asked Falcon to notify the City of their intention to transfer the operation of the facility to another operator. The strike by provincial employees then took place and it was during that time frame that Falcon choose to cease it's operation. Mr. Masseo noted that the Ministry does not consider the site to be abandoned and that the owner of the property has been fully co-operative and assumed responsibility as required in respect to this matter. Mr. Masseo pointed out that as part of the Falcon operation, it was required a $100,000.00 Bond and the Ministry was acting on that. In summary, he advised that all of the waste on the site is properly stored and the Ministry does not feel there was a problem in this regard that would lead to an emergency situation. Further, he noted a new operator was interested in the facility and such operator would be required to meet all previous Ministry conditions of operation. In response to Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. L. Masseo advised that the amount of the Bond appears to be sufficient and noted that the Ministry has made it clear that they do not have the resources to undertake more frequent inspections of such operations. Councillor Ziegler questioned if City staff could become involved in the inspection routine. Mr. L. Masseo advised that it might be possible for Fire Department officials to inspect the site and charge a fee in this regard, but that the municipality had no authority to licence the facility. Councillor Ziegler questioned if the City could develop a regular routine of Fire Department inspection to supplement the inspections carried out by the Ministry on the basis that if a problem was identified staff could quickly bring the problem to the attention of the Ministry. Councillor Ziegler requested that staff pursue involvement by the Fire Department particularly as to the Department obtaining an inventory of hazardous waste stored on the site. Mr. T. Boutilier commented that the "Certificate" provided by the Ministry to the operator requires that the operator maintain specific record keeping as to hazardous material stored and its movement. He agreed that an attempt could be made to undertake co-ordination of the inspection function with the Ministry. Following further discussion, it was agreed that the Ministry should be requested to consider improving the language of their Certificates issued for future operations and also to consider amending the Certificates to provide for co-ordinated inspections with the Fire Department, as well as supplemental inspections by the Fire Department, in order that any future situations where an operator was in excess of the permitted volume limits could be quickly identified and brought to the Ministry's attention. Mr. Clancy agreed that Management Committee could tie the Fire Department and legal issues together as part of it's further consideration of this issue. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MAY 1, 1996 - 13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. PD 96/21 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES - LOCATION STUDY (CONT'D) In response to a comment made earlier in the discussion, Ms. T. Kuntz asked that if it was determined that an operator was over the volume limits permitted, that the operator be given notice of the overage and a City re-inspection take place before the problem was brought to the attention of the Ministry. The Committee then considered Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/21. Mr. L. Masseo advised that preparation of the Staff Report relates back to approximately two years ago regarding a resolution passed by City Council. He noted that the issue has been considered from a number of angles and that staff recommend no further action to regulate these sites through the City's zoning by-law. The mandate for regulation lies with the provincial government under the Environmental Protection Act. He pointed out that during consideration of the issue, it was determined that hazardous waste management facilities do play an important role in the environment since they reduce the amount of hazardous material being stored by manufacturing companies as a result of the collection and proper storage function undertaken by such hazardous waste management facilities. Mr. Masseo commented that reference to such operations as hazardous waste management facilities was an issue that was somewhat misreferenced as realistically the operations are fully regulated and attention would be better focused on manufacturers that produce hazardous waste in the first place. He referred to the recommendation in the staff report and stated that since the City has the ability to ask for conditions, that Council pass guidelines for submission to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy to consider as part of its Certificate approval process. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested that the recommendation in Staff Report PD 96/21 be revised to include Fire Department involvement/inspection subject to Management Committee consideration of the issue. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That further to the guidelines recommended in Planning and Development Staff Report PD 96/21 (Hazardous Waste Management Facilities), the Planning and Economic Development Committee request the City's Management Committee to consider and report to Planning and Economic Development Committee on the following: That Management Committee consider legal liability and other issues relative to a proposal requesting the Ministry of Environment & Energy to accept involvement by the Kitchener Fire Department as part of its Certificate Approval process for hazardous waste management facilities that would authorize Fire department staff to: 1) co-inspect such facilities with MEE staff 2) inspect such facilities on a regular basis as a supplement to MEE inspection with any identified unresolved problems being conveyed to the MEE." 4. DOWNTOWN RECYCLING BINS Mr. S. Gyorffy provided the Committee with a verbal report, in regard to referral of a portion of recommendation #30 arising from the Mayor's Task Force on the Downtown, pertaining to placement of recycling bins in the Downtown. Mr. Gyorffy advised that some years ago responsibility for recycling was transferred to the Region which has now contracted recycling collection to BFI. However, notwithstanding the Region's responsibility for recycling, the Region is of the view that the City should assume responsibility for recycling activity in the Downtown. Mr. Gyorffy advised that the type of recycling bin required was expensive, at approximately $1,000.00 each, and that the operating costs to maintain the bins and remove material from them was also considered expensive. Accordingly, it has been estimated that costs would approximate $15,000.00 for capital equipment and $20,000.00 annually to service the equipment. In terms of pick-up of recycled material, he advised that a significant issue was that of contaminated waste which will result in the recycled material requiring sorting. Mr. Gyorffy pointed out that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association was opposed to a blue box ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES MAY 1, 1996 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER DOWNTOWN RECYCLING BINS (CONT'D) recycle collection program within the Downtown as it was their view that these boxes would detract from the appearance of the Downtown. He informed the Committee that BFI voluntarily ran a private recycle collection for Downtown merchants but participation was very poor and the program was being cancelled. In summary, he stated that it was his view that the Region has full responsibility for recycling and should be exercising this responsibility. Councillor T. Galloway noted that the City of Waterloo had a recycling program in their downtown and was billing the Region for its operation. Mr. D. Hilker suggested the City at least have a few containers in areas where there was known heavy use of recyclable materials. Mr. T. Clancy commented that the Department of Parks and Recreation has commenced a separation program in certain parks. Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting at this point. Mr. D. Hilker suggested that more information be obtained from the City of Waterloo in respect to operation of it's recycling program in the downtown. Councillor T. Galloway stated that the Region pays the City of Waterloo to be their own contractor for recycling purposes in downtown Waterloo. He suggested that since Kitchener does not have a blue box program in the Downtown the City should be able to substitute the cost of an alternative approach with co-operation from the Region. He indicated that he would contact B. Pyatt as well as take this matter to Regional Engineering Committee for consideration. GREEN ON THE GRAND - FUTURE MEETING AND TOUR Councillor T. Galloway advised that the Green on the Grand building has now opened and suggested the Committee consider holding a future meeting in the MTE board room of the Green on the Grand and tour the building to view it's environmental features which include landscaping, plumbing, electrical and cooling from the adjacent storm water management pond. It was agreed that an attempt would be made to book the facility for either the Committee's June or July meeting. WATERLOO REGION ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH (WREACH) The Committee was provided with a copy of the April 26 WREACH meeting agenda in which implications of provincial funding cuts and future plans were to be addressed. Councillor T. Galloway advised that the issue related to provincial funding cuts that have been implemented and noted that Ms. Melanie Gerber of the Region of Waterloo will be invited to the Committee's June meeting to outline the program. Mr. R. Anjaria advised that the April 26 meeting was well attended by representatives of governments and agencies. He noted that the focus of the organization's objectives was changing and was now more directed to homeowners and the selling of products beneficial to sustaining the environment. CANADA ENVIRONMENT WEEK, JUNE 2 - 8, 1996 It was noted that the week of June 2 - 8, 1996 was designated as Canada Environment Week. WORKSHOP - MANAGING PACKAGING WASTE IN CANADA, TORONTO, JUNE 17 & 18, 1996 Councillor C. Weylie advised the above workshop which was being co-sponsored by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Packaging Association of Canada and Environment Canada had been re-scheduled and will be held June 17 & 18, 1996 at the International Plaza Hotel, Toronto. 9. CLASSIFICATION OF MATERIAL - RE: ISO STANDARDS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MAY 1, 1996 -15- CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. T. Clancy commented on the matter of classifications relating to ISO standards for material and manufacturing processes. He suggested that it might be beneficial to obtain a better understanding of the entire ISO standards issue. Councillor T. Galloway agreed that there might be value in determining what the environmental tie-in was to some standards and to their application. 10. HURON NATURAL AREA - WALK ON JUNE 1, 1996 Councillor T. Galloway advised that a walk was planned to take place in Huron Natural Area on Saturday, June 1, 1996, commencing at 2:00 p.m.. Participants are requested to meet at the Crown Courier facility on Trillium Drive from which guided tours will be provided. 11. K-W FIELD NATURALISTS - TREE PLANTING Councillor Jake Smola expressed appreciation to Mr. Dennis Hilker and the K-W Field Naturalists and others who voluntarily participated in substantial tree planting that took place in Stanley Park Ward for the purpose of developing connective links to existing treed areas. 12. NEXT MEETING - JUNE 5, 1996 The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 1996 and it was requested that the following items be included in the meeting agenda: a) Councillor Jake Smola advised that it was his understanding that within the Province there were about 660 furnaces that burn used oil. He asked that the question of the contaminants in such used oil be addressed. b) Councillor Jake Smola also advised that old shingles are being accepted by the Region of Waterloo at the Regional landfill site but questioned why this was the case when it is known that shingles are a recyclable material. Mr. S. Gyorffy agreed to investigate this matter. Mr. T. Clancy advised that he would also follow- up on the matter as it relates to recycling of asphalt shingles for purposes of the base in playground areas. 13. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Assistant City Clerk