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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-07ENVY1997-05-07 MAY 7, 1997 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:20 p.m. under Councillor T. Galloway, Chair, with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie, J. Ziegler, Jake Smola and Ms. A. Coffey, Ms. D. Hartman, Mrs. J. Haalboom and Messrs. B. Harper and P. Kay. Mr. J. Kay entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Messrs. B. Stanley, B. Page, T. Boutilier, J. Moore and L.W. Neil. 1. FCM 20% CLUB GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION At the Committee's April 2nd meeting, Messrs P. Kay and C. Ford had agreed to consider a Kitchener program and associated costs in respect to greenhouse gas reduction. Mr. P. Kay advised that he brainstormed the subject with Mr. Ford, with participation by James Moore. He advised that required data was being obtained for 1996 and it was workable to go back to 1990 and document data such as gross emissions and per capita emissions. He did note that some refinement would be necessary to the accounting. Mr. P. Kay advised that he was meeting with his university students and promoting it as a topic available for project work. He commented that the undertaking may not take as long as initially thought and that an update on progress could be provided at each committee meeting. Finally, he indicated that once a snapshot of the matter was available, options could then be considered. Mr. J. Kay entered the meeting at this point. 2. DRAFT URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS The above report was presented to the Environmental Committee at its April 2nd meeting for consideration and response to the Department of Planning and Development. Councillor T. Galloway pointed out that every conceivable working group was getting an opportunity to the review and provide input to the above document before Planning and Economic Development Committee and Council consideration. Mr. T. Boutilier pointed out that staff had suggested Environmental Committee members may wish to focus on Sections 3, 4.5, 5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.11, 8.6 and 10.7 of the document. In regard to #3 & #4 of Section 3.2.2, he advised there was a problem in that the City does not have a Management Plan and that this was a problem that should be addressed. The Committee then entered into a lengthy discussion of the document in which numerous suggestions, changes, re-wordings, additions, clarifications and cross referencing were suggested to various sections which Mr. T. Boutilier recorded as the Environmental Committee's response to the draft. Mr. T. Boutilier advised that staff would be consolidating responses received from all circulated groups and preparing a revised document for consideration by the Planning and Economic Development Committee in September 1997. 3. UPDATE ON PROPOSAL RE: PESTICIDE BOOKLET / VIDEO Mr. B. Stanley advised that the staff Environmental Study Group had met April 30th to discuss the above issues. The study group broke the issue into 2 components being firstly, the "Contents" of a book/document and secondly, how to "deliver" the Contents. It was agreed that a list of appropriate items be developed for a handbook and that issues not be a duplication of those addressed by other bodies and that it remain focused on local issues. He suggested that the more challenging aspect was what form the booklet should take and how to distribute it. Making the information available city-wide was a very significant distribution and the question must be addressed as to how we can ensure the document has value in the home. An example document might be a plastic cover with additional text for the telephone book. Such a product could facilitate private advertising and a revenue source to cover costs but would take longer and be more expensive to produce. Mr. Stanley asked for Committee response to preparation of a booklet or a telephone cover approach. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES MAY 7, 1997 COMMITFEE -18- CITY OF KITCHENER UPDATE ON PROPOSAL RE: PESTICIDE BOOKLET / VIDEO (CONT'D) The following comments were forthcoming: - list environmental success stories - dedicate a section in Leisure Magazine to environmental issues - prioritize distribution of any booklet, ie reach purchasers of new homes first, then purchasers re-sale homes with general distribution later - solicit assistance from lawyers/realtors - internet application - information must be current of Mr. B. Stanley advised that staff did not have time to address the video suggestion but noted that production of a video would require sponsorships. Councillor C. Weylie commented that the concept of a video was important and recommended Ms. S. Tranter be approached to discuss development cost issues. Such a video could be made available for showing by Rogers Cable TV, schools and at community association meetings to further public education and awareness. Councillor T. Galloway noted that the concept of a video would have to include marketing of the video. PESTICIDE REGULATIONS / PESTICIDE ACTION GROUP Councillor T. Galloway advised that Ms. Susan Koswan of the local pesticide action group had informed him that a coalition had been formed to promote municipal regulation of pesticide use. She has suggested that some Ontario municipalities were investigating proceeding with municipal regulations and Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the Committee wished to pursue this matter. The Committee was of the view that the companys spraying practices were irresponsible and did not adhere to regulations. Mr. B. Stanley was requested to have the environmental study group consider possible municipal regulation of pesticide use by investigating the legality of municipal regulation (Bill 26) and what other municipalities are doing. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if the Committee would support an approach being made to lawn care/pesticide companys. On motion by Mr. J. Kay - it was resolved: "That Councillor T. Galloway, Chair of the Environmental Committee be authorized to write to lawn maintenance companies operating in the City of Kitchener expressing City Council's concern with regard to observed spraying practices that do not adhere to regulatory requirements and requesting their co-operation to ensure compliance with Provincial regulations." ANNUAL CLEAN-UP ON SCENIC ROADS Mrs. J. Haalboom raised concerns regarding dumping of various material including paint cans, automotive parts, grass clippings and tree branches along scenic roads which volunteers encountered during their annual Cleanup on Saturday, April 26th. She commented specifically with regard to a section of Tilt Drive where all kinds of debris had been dumped and questioned if signing and fines would deter this practice. Councillor T. Galloway pointed out that there is a By-law prohibiting dumping and that signage of scenic roads was a matter that Heritage Kitchener was addressing. He suggested that a "no dumping" message be considered for incorporation into the scenic road heritage signs. It was also suggested that tree planting might be done in such a way so as to obstruct cars from driving up immediately adjacent to what they consider to be a convenient dumping area and it was requested staff of the Parks and Recreation Department look at this suggestion. 6. NEXT MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES MAY 7, 1997 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER The next meeting will be held on Wednesday June 4, 1997 at the Green on the Grand. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk