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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-04ENVY1998-03-04 MARCH 4, 1998 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m. under Councillor T. Galloway, Vice-Chair, with the following members present: Councillors J. Haalboom and M. Yantzi and Ms. A. Coffey, D. Luhowy and Messrs. K. Cenerelli, P. Kay, M. Schmidt and J. Kay. Officials Present: Ms. D. Arnold and Messrs. B. Stanley, S. Gyorffy, T. Clancy, D. Daly, C. Ford, J. Moore and L.W. Neil. 1.COMMITTEE RESIGNATION Mr. L.W. Neil advised that Councillor J. Ziegler requested the Committee be informed that he has resigned from the Committee effective immediately. 2.LANDSCAPING OF REGIONAL ROADS The Committee was in receipt of a report dated February 16, 1998 from Messrs. S. Gyorffy and T. Clancy dealing with landscaping on regional roads. Mr. John Hammer, Director of Transportation for the Region of Waterloo Engineering Department, was in attendance regarding this matter. Mr. Gyorffy advised that Mr. Hammer would answer any question of the Committee regarding the report and Mr. Gyorffy then made a brief comment concerning the background section of the report. Mr. T. Clancy commented that staff were testing floral plantings at this time but feel clusters of plantings are in some ways more natural along roadsides. Staff prefer the approach that was taken on Homer Watson Boulevard being applied to other roads. Councillor J. Haalboom advised of receiving positive feedback on the appearance of Homer Watson Boulevard and that she would like to see expansion of the roadside plantings extend to the Homer Watson Boulevard/Highway 401 intersection. Mr. Hammer indicated that a recommendation in the report addresses that suggestion. Mr. Clancy commented on the issue of regional funding support to undertake some priority sites. Councillor T. Galloway questioned if $200,000 was ever received from the Solicitor General for enhanced plantings along Homer Watson Boulevard and Mr. Hammer agreed to follow up on that issue. Median plantings were discussed and it was noted that experimental plantings have been done but salt damage is a major issue. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That Regional Engineering and City Parks and Recreation Staff inventory Regional Roads in the City of Kitchener and identify opportunities for additional tree planting; and further, That planting in the areas identified be carried out on a priority basis as funding permits." 3.GRANT REQUEST OF SMOGBUSTERS RE EARTH DAY PROPOSAL Mr. David Rainham appeared as a delegation in support of his correspondence attached to the agenda requesting a grant in support of Smogbusters. He advised that he was promoting the organization based on an initiative he witnessed in Australia. The objective is to raise awareness of increased smog levels and actively reward people for using public transit. In this regard, a give-away of tree plantings is proposed at the Kitchener Transit Centre. Mr. B. Stanley stated that Councillor J. Haalboom had previously suggested promotion of Earth Day by the City. Mr. Rainham indicated that he had not yet secured funding from Canada Trust and Mr. Clancy suggested Canada Trust staff may be able to assist in the project. Mr. P. Kay agreed to request the Waterloo Branch of Canada Trust forward the organizations "Community Fund Application" to the main Kitchener Branch. The matter of awareness of the project was raised and how it could be promoted. Development of a press release was suggested for radio stations and the student University paper as well as drop in talk show visits at radio stations. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES MARCH 4, 1998 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER 3.GRANT REQUEST OF SMOGBUSTERS RE EARTH DAY PROPOSAL (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That we authorize pre-budget approval of a grant in the amount of $300.00 to "Smogbusters" from the Environmental Committee's 1998 Special Promotions budget, subject to Smogbusters providing documentation evidencing that sufficient financial commitment from other organizations is in place to undertake the "Smogbuster Campaign 1998" as described in the written submission of Mr. Daniel Rainham presented to the Environmental Committee on March 4, 1998." 4. LEGAL REPORT RE PESTICIDES A report dated December 31, 1997 prepared by Ms. D. Arnold on enforcement of the Ontario Pesticides Act that was presented at a previous meeting was re-circulated this date as the Committee did not provide any direction at its earlier meeting regarding disposition. Ms. D. Arnold advised that the Ministry of Environment and Energy received only three complaints in 1997 relating to pesticide use in Kitchener. She noted that her recommendation was that if there was concern regarding the contents of the legislation, any municipality or citizen had the option to contact the Provincial Pesticide Advisory Committee. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned existing and possible changes in legislation and Ms. Arnold advised that it was her opinion the municipality has no jurisdiction. Comments were made that the Province was after uniformity respecting the pesticide issue and that the MEE was receptive to any change in approach. Ms. Arnold clarified that the Pesticide Advisory Committee was not an enforcement agency which is the MEE's role and that the Pesticide Advisory Committee has authority to annually review the Pesticide Act and make recommendations to the Ministry. In regard to concerns respecting the activity of lawn maintenance companies, Ms. Arnold suggested the Pesticide Action Group could approach the Provincial Pesticide Advisory Committee. She also suggested the City could approach the concern in another way by taking a hard look at the municipality's Lot Maintenance By-law with the objective of revising it in such a way as to allow homeowners the opportunity to move away from perfect grass maintenance in favour of some other standard. Councillor J. Haalboom commented that more education and promotion of pesticide issues was probably the way to proceed on this matter. Other comments related to: - use and handling of pesticides - self application problems - publication of Ron McKnight's telephone number - having the Cities future environmental handbook include the phone numbers of organizations responsible for environmental issues - include reference to the MEE's telephone number in the City's blue telephone pages of the local telephone directory for environmental issues Mr. T. Clancy stated that he viewed the pesticide issue as a problem related to homeowner use and that his preference would be that legislation should provide only for application by licensed applicators. Ms. Arnold pointed out that distribution and sale of pesticides was classified by the Province into schedules based on toxicity and that concentrations available to owners were much less than what was available to commercial applicators. By general consent, it was agreed to accept the report of Ms. Arnold with the notation that option #4 respecting submission to the Provincial Pesticides Advisory Committee is the only viable approach. It was also suggested that the Committee Chair write to the Pesticide Action Group to convey that option to them to address any other concerns they may have. 5.FCM 20% CLUB GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION RE - CITY OF KITCHENER CO2 REDUCTION PROJECT, INTERIM REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES MARCH 4, 1998 - 15 - CITY OF KITCHENER The above referenced report was prepared by Mr. James Moore and distributed with the Committee's February 4th agenda. Mr. J. Moore made a verbal presentation this date respecting the Interim Report which he stated was generated to address questions regarding global warming and other aspects relating to CO2 reduction. He stressed that implementation of the CO2 reduction goal was the actual problem and that the 20% reduction figure was arbitrary and that all forms of energy use must be considered. He then made detailed remarks on a hydrogen energy alternative and referred the Committee to a draft resolution distributed this date. Following further discussion, Mr. Stanley advised that he would like to take a recommendation back to Management Committee for discussion. It was agreed that the Committee's questions concerning the Interim Report be addressed at a future meeting with Mr. Moore in attendance. On motion by Mr. P. Kay - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee receive the CO2 Reduction Project Interim Report dated January 9, 1998 as information and endorse, in principle, further investigation towards conversion to a hydrogen based community." 6.UPDATE RE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ASSESSMENT (EA) - HURON NATURAL AREA WESTERN BOUNDARY (ELS) AND ENVIRONMENTAL The Committee received the Middle Strasburg Creek Environmental Impact Statement document dated November 1997. It was agreed that the issue would be dealt with at the Committee's April 1st meeting. 7.UPDATED CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT An updated City of Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment was received by the Committee this date. 8.INFORMATION ITEMS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA · FCM Communique re District Energy Systems · Article on Energy Efficiency - University of Calgary 9.NEXT MEETING - APRIL 1, 1998 The next regular Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 1998. 10.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk