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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-02ENVY1997-04-02 APRIL 2, 1997 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, J. Ziegler, Jake Smola and Ms. D. Hartman, Mrs. J. Haalboom and Messrs. B. Harper, J. Kay, and P. Kay. Officials Present: Ms. C. Livingston, and Messrs. B. Stanley, L. Masseo, T. Boutilier, W. Sleeth, D. Daly, R. Wyatt, T. Clancy, B. Page, C. Ford and L.W. Neil. KITCHENER PESTICIDE ACTION GROUP RE PESTICIDE USE Councillor T. Galloway pointed out that at the Committee's last meeting, it had been agreed to send a representative to a meeting of the Pesticide Action Group in Waterloo to gather information on their activities. Mr. D. Daly reported he and Councillor Jake Smola attended two meetings of the Waterloo Environmental Group, which did not include any City of Waterloo Staff Members. That group is pursuing a number of initiatives in respect to educating the public about the use of pesticides and following the two meetings, discussions were held in respect to the City of Kitchener's approach to pesticide use. After reviewing some of the Waterloo literature, it became evident that there was a large amount of information available. Mr. Daly distributed a copy of a booklet "Healthy Lawns and Gardens with Less Water" prepared by the Region of Waterloo, which he noted contains a variety of related information. He advised that adequate quantities of this booklet are available to place at the City's information counters. Also, he distributed a copy of a pesticide article from the Spring / Summer 1997 Issue of EnviroNews and noted that Kim Nihls phone number had been included as a City of Kitchener contact person in the news article which related to alternatives to pesticides and taking a natural approach. Mr. Daly advised that consideration was given to producing a flyer but it was determined that it might be more appropriate to develop a handbook covering a number of environmental issues, thus broadening the scope of any information package. Councillor Jake Smola indicated that after a meeting with the Waterloo Group, it was not clear where they were going with their initiative. In the meantime, he suggested preparing a supplement on pesticide use for inclusion in future EnviroNews publications and agreed with development of a booklet containing various environmental policies, which could make reference to the goals of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment and also blend information from the Region of Waterloo. Councillor T. Galloway suggested the stewardship initiative be considered for inclusion in the booklet. Councillor Jake Smola suggested a report be prepared on booklet development including costs and the possibility of private sector sponsorship. Mr. T. Clancy recommended the undertaking be handled by the Staff Environmental Study Group under Brock Stanley's direction. He also suggested staff investigate development of a video that could be loaned to schools and that Rogers Cable Systems, Conestoga College or the University of Guelph be approached for their technical assistance. It was his understanding that videos suitable for homeowner use are not available, but that he would make inquiries in this regard. Mrs. J. Haalboom suggested that demonstration projects also be included as part of the information contained in a video. Mrs. Haalboom questioned what the City's policy was regarding pesticide use around city buildings. Mr. D. Daly advised that the City's policy is to use as little as possible after all other efforts have failed and noted that pesticide use was running under 2 percent of parkland. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola, the Committee agreed to request staff to report back on proposed development and contents of a booklet and video, including demonstration projects and provide estimated costs for these undertakings. 2. DRAFT URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES APRIL 2, 1997 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION ONLY AND TABLING OF REPORT FOR DISTRIBUTION The Committee was advised that the Planning and Economic Development Committee (PEDC) received Staff Report PD 97/22 at its March 17th meeting and referred the report to the Environmental Committee as well as to other Committees, Agencies, Consultants, etc. for consideration and response back to the PEDC. In 1994 Kitchener City Council approved the City's new Municipal Plan which contained broad Urban Design Policy directions regarding future development. Staff of the Parks and Recreation Department and the Planning and Development Department prepared in association with Green Scheels and Pidgeon and A.J. Diamond Donald Schmidt & Company, a draft of the city's new Urban Design Guidelines and Standards. Mr. B. Stanley advised that this first draft of the Urban Design Guidelines was being presented to and tabled with the Environmental Committee this date and that it was an initiative under the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment. He noted that key staff responsible for various sections of the document were in attendance. Ms. Cathy Livingston appeared as a delegation and pointed out that the document had been prepared to encourage higher standards of design with the intent that such outcome would solve problems. She stressed that the Guidelines were intended to be flexible and that it was up to City Council to agree on what constitutes good design. Ms. Livingston indicated that the City's Municipal Plan contains a section on Urban Design which the documents are intended to support. Ms. Livingston referred to and commented on the new Urban Design Guidelines which provides details on the broad directions of the Municipal Plan under the subject areas of: 1) The Public Realm 2) Open Space and Natural System 3) Streets of the City 4) Nodes and Corridors 5) Safety, Security, and Barrier-Free Design 6) Site Design 7) Design of Buildings and Massing 8) Heritage Conservation 9) Downtown Kitchener Ms. Livingston noted that the standards portion of the Urban Design Guidelines forms the second part of the document. She indicated that many of the Standards exist while others are new and stressed that the Standards should be negotiable in consideration of the fact that each Site and potential development was unique. Lastly, she requested that the Committee study the document and provide the staff team with input. Mr. T. Boutilier stressed that this initial presentation is the beginning of discussions with the Committee and many others. He asked that Committee members consider the document as a whole but that particular attention, from an environmental perspective, be paid to sections 3, 4.5, 5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.11, 8.6 and 10.7. He indicated that staff would like to have discussion and debate at the Environmental Committee May 7th meeting. Staff would also welcome written response from Committee members. It was agreed to begin consideration of the document at the May 7th Committee meeting. FCM 20% CLUB GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION RE: CITY OF LONDON 'AIR QUALITY STUDY' As suggested at the Committee's March 5th meeting, a copy of the "Final Report - City of London Air Emissions Study" dated September 1995 was distributed with the agenda as background to commence consideration of a Kitchener program. FCM 20% CLUB GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION RE: CITY OF LONDON 'AIR QUALITY STUDY' (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES APRIL 2, 1997 - 15 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. C. Ford referred to the last page of the Study and noted that the City as a corporation was responsible for only 1.6 percent of total city energy use and thus in terms of leadership could have no real affect on the totals. He commented on the data in the report and on Figure S2, Energy Use Segregated by Sector. Mr. Ford distributed a memorandum dated April 2, 1997 suggesting a "Plan of Attack" under the 20% Club. Background to the issue was given and a process was suggested as to defining measurable quantities of net CO2 from 1990 as base year. A consultant could be engaged but alternatively, university student resources could be utilized to produce a report similar to the City of London's. Following completion of the report, the task would then be to work with the results and develop a plan of attack to reduce CO2 emissions. He pointed out that London dealt only with CO2 emissions from energy use but stressed that there are other sources of CO2. He suggested that contract positions would be required to complete the project which was beyond staff resources and that direction in this regard was required. Finally, Mr. Ford commented that if the City does not intend to achieve the FCM 20% goal by the year 2000, it should establish a realistic deadline. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that the project was actually a capital project and requested that the City be committed to following through before spending anywhere from $50,000.00 - $100,000.00. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he was opposed on the basis such spending would be a waste of money and that he had no idea of the costs when the undertaking was originally proposed. He recommended that any available funds be spent to reduce known causes of CO2 rather than to just produce a report. Councillor T. Galloway commented that the purpose of the report was to establish a base line to measure from and that it does seem to be something of an academic exercise. Mr. P. Kay commented that the base line is needed and that university students could obtain and manipulate much of the necessary data. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested the present time be used as the base line, rather than worrying about what the base line might have been in 1990. Councillor T. Galloway noted that the year 1990 was required because of Canadian government objectives. Mr. P. Kay stated that a base line year and subsequent yearly data would establish a trend and point to where CO2 reduction efforts should be directed. Mr. P. Kay suggested that he and Mr. C. Ford brainstorm the project before the Committee's next meeting. Councillor T. Galloway commented that more information was required, especially a price tag of participation in the 20% Club and the estimated costs of required follow-up, before making any recommendation to Council. Mr. P. Kay suggested that follow-up work should be funded out of capital dollars. Mr. J. Kay noted that once a base line year was established, it was only marginal extra work to develop annual estimates for following years and he suggested that there was nothing wrong with extending the implementation process. Mr. B. Harper commented that data needs and staff requirements must be established. Mr. B. Stanley stated that he had concern with the amount of staff resources required in the follow-up phase. The Committee agreed that Messrs. P. Kay and C. Ford brainstorm the project to sketch out the costs of a student driven CO2 study, as well as associated costs and present their findings to the Committee. 4. EARTH DAY Mrs. J. Haalboom questioned if the City intended to place any newspaper advertisements in promotion of Earth Day activities. 4. EARTH DAY (CONT'D) Following some discussion of the City's policy not to proclaim / endorse activities of other organizations, Councillor T. Galloway advised he would bring the matter up at one of the City's Standing Committee meetings on Monday April 7th. It was suggested that reference to "Earth Day" could be mentioned in the City's Home Page. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES APRIL 2, 1997 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Wednesday May 7, 1997. Green on the Grand. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. It is hoped to have the meeting at The L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk