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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-03ENVY1998-06-03 JUNE 3, 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, T. Galloway and M. Yantzi, Ms. A. Coffey, and Messrs. P. Kay, K. Cenerelli, J. Kay, and M. Schmitt. Officials Present: Messrs. B. Stanley, T. Clancy, C. Ford, R. Wyatt and L. W. Neil. 1.APPROACHES TO "EARTH DAY" PLANNING FOR 1999 Councillor T. Galloway questioned if an initiative such as the City's Environmental Handbook could be launched in conjunction with 1999 Earth Day and Mr. B. Stanley responded that Earth Day was a target date for the handbook. Mr. James Kay suggested that a focus for 1999 might be on what the City has accomplished that would tie in with Earth Day and that these activities should be publicized. In this regard he stated that it was his opinion the City of Kitchener was far ahead of most everyone else in its environmental activities. Councillor J. Haalboom commented that she would like to ensure that the Committee involves schools in Earth Day activities. Mr. J. Kay stated that he would like to include community groups in activities that had a positive effect on the environment. Ms. A. Coffey favoured clean up activities by various neighbourhood communities in conjunction with Earth Day. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that his preference was for a neighbourhood based approach which would include various organizations such as schools, community associations and other groups, Mr. K. Cenerelli stated that he was in agreement with a neighbourhood based pro-active approach. Mr. T. Clancy advised that a Seniors Group has offered to co-ordinate an effort involving the schools and other organizations and acknowledged that there was a requirement for neighbourhood co- ordination. By general consent it was agreed that Councillor Jake Smola, Ms. A. Coffey and Mr. K. Cenerelli form a sub-committee that would take responsibility for Earth Day planning for 1999. It was also agreed that Mr. B. Stanley would act in concert with the sub-committee to provide a link to the Staff Environmental Study Group and bring in one other additional staff member for resource purposes. It was agreed that the above referenced sub-committee would hold a meeting at 3:30 p.m. on July 8th, prior to the regular Environmental Committee 4:00 p.m. meeting. It was also agreed that the sub-committee would address the issue of expanding its membership. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that Kitchener and Waterloo might consider undertaking joint Earth Day activities and that this project could involve the City's new Corporate Communication functional area. Councillor J. Haalboom suggested that the Kitchener Public Library could also provide resource and program assistance. 2.CO2 REDUCTION PROJECT The Committee was in receipt of a copy of the April 21, 1998 Management Committee minutes dealing with the CO2 Reduction Project. Mr. B. Stanley advised the Committee that Mr. James Moore interviewed each member of the Management Committee before making a presentation on CO2 Reduction to the Committee. Mr. Stanley referred to the suggestion made by Mr. T. Clancy in the minutes that there be a major Forum on CO2 Reduction and that the Management Committee thought the idea had merit. He pointed out that Management Committee suggests the Environmental Study Group could undertake administrative activities but that the Environmental Committee must endorse and sponsor any such Forum. Mr. Stanley stated that at the present time there was no time frame regarding the idea but that there was a need to determine what would be involved with such an undertaking and the time frame required to do it. He asked that the Committee address this issue. 2.CO2 REDUCTION PROJECT (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES JUNE 3, 1998 - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. T. Clancy commented that the Provincial and Federal Governments might financially support such an undertaking and that there was an opportunity for the City to be on the leading edge of changing technology. He also commented that by hosting such a Forum the City could accumulate a large amount of knowledge on the subject in a short time. Mr. James Kay questioned what the focus of the Forum would be as to whether it was CO2 Reduction or Hydrogen Fuel Alternative. Mr. B. Stanley stated that he saw the issue as one of change to a hydrogen based economy with the spin-off benefit of CO2 Reduction. Mr. J. Kay commented that there were two local experts on hydrogen now located in the area and that we could tap into contacts in the International Society. Mr. P. Kay also suggested that assistance, organizational support and sponsorships could also be sought from the University Conference Office, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the International Council for Local Initiatives (ICLEI). Mr. C. Ford suggested that the issue should interest local people in its portrayal of the effect of new technology on them. Mr. B. Stanley stressed that it would be necessary for members of the Environmental Committee to work on the planning and execution of such a Forum. In this regard, Councillor T. Galloway suggested that thought be given to a steering committee and subsequently an organizing committee to address the issue. Councillor J. Haalboom pointed out the Heritage Kitchener (LACAC) recently hosted a conference with support from the Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge and noted that the bulk of volunteers supporting the conference were members of Heritage Kitchener. Councillor Jake Smola also suggested that private sector involvement in any form could be sought and in this regard suggested the Ballard Company. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested that incorporating exhibits into the conference would generate interest on the part of members of the public. Mr. K. Cenerelli commented that the Forum proposal could be worked into Earth Day for the year 2000. In reference to hydrogen as a power source, Mr. C. Ford noted that maintenance of hydrogen engines was substantially lower and next to nothing in comparison to maintenance of todays automobile engines. Mr. J. Kay commented that the cost of oil was artificially Iow and was of the opinion that at some point in time the price would explode which would then drive change at a faster pace to a hydrogen based economy. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee endorses the City of Kitchener hosting a major conference forum on CO2 Reduction through the advancement of a hydrogen economy and that the staff Environmental Study Group be requested to serve as an initial Steering Committee with a view to developing a concept for the conference and recommending a conference organizing structure to the Environmental Committee." Mr. M. Schmitt advised that the University of Guelph may have hydrogen filled vehicles that could form part of the display. Mr. Derek Lippert was in attendance observing the meeting and commented that since the age of fossil fuels was coming to an end, the Committee might consider including other power sources in any Forum it held in order to gain a wider following. Mr. C. Ford responded that the Environmental Study Group could consider this suggestion but noted that any widening of the scope could have the potential to result in a watered down focus on hydrogen as a power source. Mr. Lippert agreed noting that if the Forum was more than one day, then it might be practical to consider other power sources. 3.TREE BRANCH CUTTINGS Mr. K. Cenerelli questioned if the City could establish a collection process for collecting of tree branches, twigs and small shrubs that would facilitate recycling. Mr. T. Clancy commented on the suggestion and stated that while there were problems, it was worth exploring. Councillor M. Yantzi questioned if a wood chipper could be set up at the Bramm Street facility for residents to drop off their waste. Mr. Clancy suggested that Mr. S. Gyorffy should be the person to consider this issue and also that the Environmental Handbook could make reference to a preferred 3.TREE BRANCH CUTTINGS (CONT'D) method of disposal of such material. In this regard he noted that when residents bring their landscape ENVIRONMENTAL MINUTES JUNE 3, 1998 COMMITFEE CITY OF KITCHENER waste the City could offer them the opportunity to pick up wood chips in exchange. By general consent it was agreed that this issue be referred to Mr. S. Gyorffy to address. 4. IDLING OF VEHICLE MOTORS Councillor M. Yantzi raised a concern regarding the idling of motor vehicles and how this practice could be discouraged. He noted that there were municipal by-laws governing idling in the Cities of Montreal and San Francisco. By general consent it was agreed that this issue be referred to Don Snow to review along with research by the Legal Department and any assistance the Waterloo Regional Police might have to offer. 5.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk