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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-04ENVY1998-02-04 FEBRUARY 4, 1998 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. under Councillor Jake Smola, Chair, with the following members present: Councillors J. Haalboom and T. Galloway and Messrs. K. Cenerelli, M. Schmidt and J. Kay. Councillor M. Yantzi entered the meeting after its commencement. Officials Present: Ms. D. Arnold, C. Oliver and Messrs. B. Stanley, B. Gulliver, M. Mahaffey, J. Danylyk, D. Daly, T. Clancy, L. Gordon, J. Moore and L.W. Neil. 1.PD 98/13 - DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HANDBOOK AND VIDEO The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Staff Report PD 98/13 dated January 26, 1998 dealing with the development of an Environmental Handbook and Video. Mr. B. Stanley advised that following earlier Committee consideration and direction, staff had developed the proposal in PD 98/13 and were now seeking further direction and support for inclusion in the Capital Budget. Ms. Caroline Oliver made a presentation in support of this issue illustrating a type of booklet and elaborating on the organizational form the booklet would take. She commented on a suggested distribution plan that would target residents likely to be most interested in the booklet, such as new home purchasers and specific areas of the City with special environmental concerns. She noted that information could be made available on the City's Website. In reference to a video, Ms. Oliver stated that it was a project that would be undertaken in the year following completion of the booklet and that the video was intended to work in a different way from the booklet. She indicated that its message could be directed towards adults and target specific actions that we would ask people to do to benefit the environment. Ms. Oliver noted that it could be shown on Rogers Cablesystems, at neighbourhood meetings and at the Kitchener Public Library. The Committee discussed and raised questions regarding the proposal. It was indicated that the booklet could be updated every few years if funding was available, that it was not intended to sell it, and that $10,000 should be put in the Capital Forecast on the understanding that other agencies would be approached for the balance of funding to produce 6,000 - 7,000 copies. Also, the question of quality and durable product in relation to cost was considered. Councillor T. Galloway had hoped the booklet could be provided to every household. Mr. B. Stanley indicated that a CD Rom would be a cheaper option. Councillor J. Haalboom favoured a booklet approach and involving children by including features of interest to children. Councillor T. Galloway recommended $10,000 annually be placed in the 10 Year Capital Forecast. Mr. B. Stanley commented that initially staff saw the handbook as a one-time project. He noted that the City needs an environmental stewardship program and the handbook and video and subsequent updates fits that initiative. He noted that as soon as the Capital Budget was approved staff could begin preparing a draft booklet and bring it back to the Committee in late Autumn 1998. Mr. Stanley stressed that the real bottleneck in completing this project was staff resources to do the writing and obtaining additional financial sponsorships. Mr. J. Kay suggested a short pamphlet be developed that highlights the booklet. Also, he questioned if the Committee could do something for Earth Day, starting in 1999. Councillor J. Haalboom noted that a project in this regard would allow time to approach the Schools for 1999 Earth Day. The motion that follows was actually not introduced until the end of the meeting when a quorum of members were present. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: (a)"That the Environmental Committee approve in principle the preparation of an Environmental Handbook and Video with funding of $10,000 in 1998 and $10,000 in 1999, and thereafter $10,000 per year for future environmental stewardship initiatives, being provided in the 10 Year capital Forecast; and further, That the request for funding be referred to the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration as part of the 1998 Capital Budget. 1.PD 98/13 - DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HANDBOOK AND VIDEO (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1998 COMMITFEE -9- CITY OF KITCHENER (b)That the Environmental Study Group explore various options for additional funding for this project, including the "Friends of the Environment" Foundation." 2.MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY RE: EXHAUST EMISSIONS AND DRIVE CLEAN Mr. B. Gulliver, Director of Fleet, appeared before the Committee to provide a powerpoint presentation on the Ministry of Environment & Energy Program for Drive Clean and what the Fleet Division was doing in the area of pollution control. He pointed out that the provincial program takes effect in 1998 and provided various statistical data on smog composition and origins of pollution. Mr. Gulliver's expectation was that the Drive Clean project would result in significant reduction of vehicular pollution emissions. He then presented various details regarding the Drive Clean program as they apply to the category of passenger vehicles and to the category of trucks and buses. This included program commencement, required inspections, testing and costs. Councillor M. Yantzi entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Gulliver indicated that Phase II of the program would involve Kitchener in the year 2000. He commented that the impact of the Program on the City was expected to be minimal given the high level of vehicular maintenance supported by City Council. He noted that it was staffs hope to purchase a $100,000 tester and provide a Region-wide testing service under the Program. He then itemized all the types of alterative fuel sources to power vehicles including: electricity, methanol, ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen, propane, fuel cells and gasoline. On the issue of natural gas, he suggested the Committee may wish to consider criteria on how much extra the City should be prepared to spend to convert vehicles to natural gas. Finally, Mr. Gulliver listed the initiatives taken by the Fleet Division to achieve emission reduction, being: - the purchase of only fuel efficient vehicles - a comprehensive preventative maintenance program - use of alternative fuels - use of re-fined fuels - driver education Mr. J. Kay commented that the programs of the Fleet Division were comprehensive and he complimented the Division on its program accomplishments. Councillor Jake Smola questioned what was being done about small engines such as lawnmowers and Mr. Gulliver advised that purchase of the $100,000 tester would allow staff to address such concerns. Councillor Smola questioned CNG options and how the City could shift to environmental specifications when purchasing vehicles. Mr. Gulliver advised that as a matter of practice the City asks for options in respect to alternative fuel vehicles, but Councillor Smola questioned how the City could shift away from a hard line dollar approach and provide for measuring of the environmental benefit. Mr. L. Gordon noted that direction would be required to show the cost/benefit in this regard. Mr. Gulliver indicated that he could supply break-even data to Council. Mr. Gulliver advised that 23 of 114 City buses were powered by natural gas, whereas the rest of the City's fleet is less than 10% natural gas because of the payback issue. Mr. L. Gordon commented that in the past, availability of fuel has been a problem in that having vehicles required to return to central yards during the day to re-fuel was costly; however, satellite filling for CNG is a developing technology. At the conclusion of this item, Mr. Gulliver distributed a handout describing the Provincial 'Drive Clean Program'. 3.PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS / LEGAL REPORT The Committee was in receipt of a report dated January 29, 1998 from Mr. D. Daly, Manager of Parks Operations dealing with the on-going pesticide review undertaken by the Environmental 3.PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS / LEGAL REPORT (CONT'D) Committee which gave detailed consideration to the matter at meetings held January 14 & 21, 1998. ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1998 COMMITFEE -10- CITY OF KITCHENER Submissions dated February 4, 1998 from each of the Kitchener Pesticide Action Group and the Victoria Park Green Team were received and distributed this date. Both were prepared in response to the January 29th report of Mr. D. Daly. Councillor Jake Smola referred Committee members to the recommendations in Mr. Daly's report. Mr. J. Kay commented on the staff report recommendations. He noted that the Committee minutes more accurately reflected what he said in regard to the annual report. On the matter of signage he stated that residents need to know in more detail what is being done and how small the amount of spraying is that is actually occurring. He stated that simply erecting more signs was not the answer and that more fear was actually generated by this approach. Councillor M. Yantzi commented that he saw the Victoria Park situation as an opportunity for education and recommended a place in the Park be designated for information to be posted for park users. He also stated that he assumed a report on Victoria Park would be in consultation with area residents. Councillor J. Haalboom suggested a pilot project be considered involving alternative landscaping that would not require pesticides. Mr. D. Daly pointed out that the definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was constantly shifting and becoming stronger. In respect to Victoria Park, he stated that a pesticide ban without a strategy was not wise as future problems could not be banned. He noted that IPM provides a mechanism to look at all alternatives and to strive for environmentally friendly alternatives. Mr. Daly commented that the delegations had generated excellent discussion with the Committee and he requested that staff be given the opportunity to come back to the Committee after further reviewing Victoria Park. He indicated staff would look closer at Victoria Park and practices to promote healthy turf areas as well as consider options regarding rosebeds and deal with ideas of the neighbourhood. Mr. T. Clancy noted that initially staff were somewhat on the defensive concerning the issue of the ban request but would like to work with community groups, particularly Victoria Park. He stated that both the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo were far ahead of other municipalities on the pesticide reduction issue. Mr. Clancy commented that a big problem for staff was the issue of weather conditions that affect municipal property as unpredictable conditions are what precipitates maintenance problems. The numbered recommendations in the staff report were then considered and the following changes were agreed to: 1(2) add, 2 (1) add, (2) (3) (5) by working towards a zero % target public and neighbourhood consultation add, that includes an inventory of what spraying has taken place, where, volume and what is being done to mitigate the need for spraying in future add, And further, that additional communications processes be reviewed and reported back to the Environmental Committee add an additional recommendation numbered (5), prepare a report on a Pilot Project dealing with alternative landscaping to eliminate pesticide use on a city facility and report back to the Environmental Committee Councillor T. Galloway commented that this was putting into print what the City was already doing and illustrates a further commitment to address concerns that have been raised. He pointed out that some years back the City sprayed 2300 litres of pesticide per year and was now down to only 46 litres per year and it was his hope this current volume could be reduced in future. Councillor M. Yantzi stated it was his hope this commitment represented a more pro-active approach to addressing the problem. 3.PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS / LEGAL REPORT (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: (a)"That Council Policy 1-309 be rescinded and replaced by the following: ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1998 COMMITFEE -11- CITY OF KITCHENER That the City of Kitchener approve a pest control policy on City lands as follows: 1)that we adopt Integrated Pest Management principles and procedures with respect to pest control on City Lands. IPM is a decision-making process used to determine and efficiently manage pest problems. Pest control is undertaken when and where monitoring indicates that the pest will cause unacceptable economic, medical or aesthetic damage. A range of techniques are used that minimize the negative effects on the environment. IPM stresses the use of biological and cultural controls and the use of pesticides only as a last resort in minimal amounts. 2)that we strive to reduce pesticide use on City Lands by working towards a zero % target. 3)that we ensure a Turf Care program for higher maintenance turf areas such as sportsfields, golf courses, bowling greens, cemeteries, garden parks and parkettes and prominent City Facilities. Such a Turf Care program will promote healthy lawns through cultural techniques such as regular interval mowing, fertilizing, aerating, topdressing, overseeding, irrigating where feasible and Integrated Pest Management. Pesticides will only be used where significant pest problems are identified, plant health is jeopardized, and alternative controls are not feasible as guided by IPM principles and procedures. 4)that as general practice, we do not apply herbicides to medium and lower maintenance turf areas. Exceptions would be on a case by case basis where extensive deterioration may occur, renovation is required or a threat to human health exists. Decisions will be based on IPM principles and procedures. (b)ln addition to the policy change it is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Dept. be directed to: 1)prepare a report for the Environmental Committee that outlines alternative methods of pest control in Victoria Park. Such a report will consider cultural practice, existing landscapes and standards, impacts, public awareness and park use, staff involvement, costs associated with various options, as well as public and neighbourhood consultation. 2)on an annual basis provide the Environmental Committee with an Integrated Pest Management report concerning City Lands, that includes an inventory of what spraying has taken place, where, volume and what is being done to mitigate the need for spraying in future. 3)as a matter of practice, increase the pesticide sign posting requirement to a 50 meter interval on City owned lands where there is uncontrolled public access. This is double the provincial minimum of 100 metres as outlined in the General Regulations under the Pesticide Act. And further, that additional communications processes be reviewed and reported back to the Environmental Committee. 4)include in the proposed Environmental Handbook, information on Integrated Pest Management that will promote alternatives to pesticide use in residential landscapes. 3.PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS / LEGAL REPORT (CONT'D) 5)prepare a report on a Pilot Project dealing with alternative landscaping to eliminate pesticide use on a city facility and report back to the Environmental Committee." 4. FCM 20% CLUB GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION RE: - CITY OF KITCHENER CO2 REDUCTION PROJECT, INTERIM REPORT The Committee was in receipt of the above referenced report which it agreed to receive and refer to its March meeting for discussion. 5.INFORMATION ITEMS ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1998 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER The following information items were attached to the agenda: a)Department of Public Works Reports · Doon Village Road from Bechtel Drive to Tilt Drive re: "Class Environmental Assessment and Alignment Location Study" · Bridgeport North Community re: "Schedule 'B' Class Environmental Assessment Study"- preferred sanitary servicing scheme Note: these reports were referred from the Public Works and Transportation Committee January 12th meeting Councillor T. Galloway advised that he had requested the Environmental Assessments be brought to the attention of the Environmental Committee. b)Prefecture of the Municipality of Sao Paulo, Brazil - short report on the main plans, programs and projects of the Sao Paulo Municipal Secretariat for the Green and the Environment 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk