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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-05ENVY1999-05-05 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 5, 1999 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: Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor M. Yantzi, Ms. B. Luckhardt, and Messrs, K. Cenerelli, H. Linseman, and F. Wende. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner and Ms. J. billett, and Messrs. B. Stanley and L. Neil. 1. IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS The Committee was in receipt of a report dated March 31, 1999, from Ms. B. Steiner, Environmental Design Technologist, outlining how the City of Kitchener identifies and protects significant natural areas and, in addition, how Kitchener compares with other municipalities. Ms. B. Steiner pointed out to the Committee that Kitchener has historically used Regional Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas and Provincial policies in developing communities around significant natural areas. She advised the Committee that the City's Tree Management Policy and the Municipal Plan have been useful environmental tools in identifying and developing policies with respect to the preservation of natural areas. However, she stated that the best approach is through the subwatershed planning process which identifies and addresses the physical and biological interdependencies of natural areas prior to any development taking place and protects the environment by focusing in on significant natural areas through the development process. In this manner, she noted that subwatershed plans provide the basis on which community plans and future subdivisions are formulated. Ms. Steiner provided an overview of subwatershed plans that have already been developed within the municipality and reviewed a comparison chart of other municipality's policies and processes for establishing natural areas. In response to questioning, Ms. Steiner advised that Kitchener compares fairly well with other municipalities and that the main difference is in the set of tools that are being used to identify significant natural areas. She pointed out that Kitchener has done well in identifying the wetlands and floodplains, however, more work needs to be done in identifying woodland areas. Councillor Jake Smola stated that development in the area west of Erbsville Road, Waterloo appears to have slowed and questioned if this was a result of the impact of developing policies with respect to natural areas. Ms. Steiner responded that development in the area has been affected by an Ontario Municipal Board decision which set out strict environmental controls. Councillor J. Haalboom referred to the Blair-BechteI-Bauman Subwatershed Study, which is nearing completion, and questioned if there was still opportunity for public input. Mr. B. Stanley responded that this study is still in progress and further opportunity for public input will be provided through the implementation planning process. Councillor J. Haalboom also inquired if there was a set buffer that developers are required to maintain between the tree lines and Iotlines. Ms. B. Steiner advised that buffers are not normally pre-set but rather determined on a site specific basis during the last level of study. Councillor J. Haalboom inquired what the Environmental Committee could do to further improve protection of natural areas and Ms. B. Steiner responded that the municipality already has future strategies in place which should be proceeded with so that necessary data continues to be compiled. Mr. B. Stanley also pointed out that, as part of the Strategic Environmental Plan, it is proposed to develop a woodland strategy. He stated that acquisition of upland forest is the weakest link having been put aside for a number of years in favour of other priorities. He advised that Council has provided funds to hire a Forester and suggested that this study proceed as part of the responsibilities of this position. Mr. K. Cenerelli questioned if provision was being made to provide natural corridors between designated natural areas and future development to offset the impact on wildlife. Ms. Steiner responded that the Region is currently developing a natural habitat network that will establish such corridors but was unsure of the status at this time; however, when it is completed, it will guide the City's Municipal Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 57 1999 -22- CITY OF KITCHENER IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS, CONT'D By general consent, it was agreed that Mr. B. Stanley would draft a resolution after confering with staff of the Parks and Recreation Department with respect to an Implementation Plan for development of a woodlot strategy, including budget needs, for presentation by Ms. Steiner at a televised Council meeting in the Fall of this year. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS PROGRAM - NOMINATIONS The Committee was in receipt of nominations submitted in respect to the Regional Environmental Sustainability Awards. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the nominations had been sorted into 5 categories, as follows: Education, Agriculture, Business, Volunteer Sector, and Natural Heritage. He pointed out that the Committee may nominate up to a maximum of 3 nominees in each category based on the following criteria, namely: The recipient(s) demonstrate a commitment to unselfishly working towards conserving/enhancing our natural heritage; or, 2. The recipient(s) exemplify the values that will help us achieve a sustainable society. The Committee then entered into a review and discussion of each of the nominations and made recommendations as to the Committee's preferred nominee(s) in each of the five categories. The Committee gave direction to Councillor J. Haalboom to vote according to the Committee's preferred choice of nominees at the final judging to take place on May 14, 1999. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Awards Ceremony will take place on June 1, 1999, in the City Hall Rotunda commencing at 5:30 p.m. He advised that, with the exception of Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor Jake Smola as the Chair of the Environmental Committee, there will be a $5.00 charge for any member of the Committee who plans to attend the ceremony. In this regard, it was agreed that the cost to attend this event would be covered through the Committee's budget and any member of the Committee planning to attend the ceremony should contact Ms. J. Billett, Telephone 741-2276, to make necessary arrangements. ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW Mr. B. Stanley advised that, in 1995, a full review of the Environmental Strategic Plan had been undertaken consisting of two in-house sessions and one public open house. He noted that this had been a major undertaking requiring a significant amount of staff time. Mr. Stanley advised that, at the last meeting of the Environmental Study Group, review of the Strategic Plan was discussed; however, it was felt that due to limited resources and other priority commitments, it would not be possible to do a complete review this year. The study group did indicate, however, that a new list of initiatives of concurrent or identified future proposals should be developed and placed within the plan. He stated that this would include such things as the City's Clean Air Plan and Stormwater Management Plans. Following further discussion, it was agreed that a proposed list of new initiatives should be developed and prioritized prior to review by the Committee. When completed, it was suggested that a meeting be held to review the list and determine appropriate placement of each initiative within the Environmental Strategic Plan. Mr. Stanley agreed to proceed accordingly as a means to update the Plan. EARTH DAY FOLLOW-UP Councillor Jake Smola advised that the 1999 Earth Day program had been very successful; however, it was felt that some things could be done differently next year to improve the days events. He stated that it had been suggested to start planning for the event earlier in the year and that more communication was required to promote the event. In addition, it had been ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 57 1999 -23- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. EARTH DAY FOLLOW-UP, CONT'D suggested that more participation by local schools should be encouraged. In this regard, Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that Earth Day is scheduled to be held on a Saturday, rather than on a weekday, in the year 2000 which will provide greater opportunity for participation by local schools and the general public. Councillor Jake Smola also advised that a dedicated staff resource person had not been allocated to this event. In this regard, it was felt that this should be accommodated in future. Councillor Jake Smola thanked all who had participated in organizing this event and, in particular, Ms. S. Roberts and Messrs. K. Cenerelli, B. Stanley, T. Boutilier and B. Wakefield. By general consent, it was agreed that a preliminary discussion respecting strategies for Earth Day 2000 would be undertaken at the Committee's meeting in June. Mr. K. Cenerelli referred to pictures that had been taken on Earth Day and noted that Earth Day Canada has requested copies for input into their website. He also suggested that consideration be given to including these pictures on the City's Homepage. Mr. B. Stanley agreed to provide the pictures for Earth Day Canada and to work with Mr. B. Wakefield in developing an outline of the Earth Day event for inclusion in the City's Homepage. 5. COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE The Committee was in receipt of a report dated April 27, 1999, from Ms. J. Billett, outlining proposed changes in the Committee's meeting schedule. The Committee reviewed the proposed schedule and the following revised meeting dates were established: Thursday, June 24, 1999 Thursday, September 9, 1999 Thursday, October 7, 1999 Thursday, November 4, 1999 Thursday, December 2, 1999. The meetings of the Environmental Committee will continue to commence at 4:00 p.m. and be held in the Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall. = TOURS - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1999 a) Ontario Hydro's Nanticoke Coal-Fired Generating Station - Port Dover, Ontario b) Lon.qpoint Biosphere Reserve - Lonqpoint, Ontario The Committee was in receipt of a report dated April 27, 1999, from Ms. J. Billett advising that a tour of the Ontario Hydro's Nanticoke Coal-Fired Generating Station has been arranged for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 1999. Following a tour of the Plant a light supper will be provided at a Community Centre in Port Rowan, Longpoint. A tour of the Longpoint Biosphere Reserve will then be undertaken in the early evening. The Committee was advised that a transit van will be provided, at no cost, by the Transit Division; however, only one van will be available seating up to nine people (driver plus 8 passengers). In this regard, members of the Committee were requested to indicate whether or not they planned to attend. Councillor Jake Smola advised that, if required, he would provide his vehicle which would allow an additional six participants. He suggested that certain staff may also wish to participate and, in this regard, it was suggested that Mr. B. Stanley contact Mr. R. Wyatt of the Parks and Recreation Department to determine if a member of the Forestry Division might wish to attend. The Committee was also advised that it was unknown at this time if Mr. J. Kay had been able to contact Mr. G. Francis to determine his availability to conduct a tour of the Biosphere area. It was agreed that Ms. J. Billett would contact Mr. J. Kay to finalize this matter prior to the tour. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 5, 1999 -24- CITY OF KITCHENER 6. TOURS - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1999, Cont'd Members of the Committee were advised to meet in the City Hall Rotunda at 12:30 p.m. on June 2, 1999, for departure on the tours. 7. COMMITTEE VACANCIES The Committee was in receipt of a report dated April 27, 1999 from Ms. J. Billett, outlining options available for filling two vacancies on the Environmental Committee as a result of the resignations of Ms. Donna Hartman and Ms. Audrey Coffey. It was pointed out that two applicants, who had submitted applications for the annual appointment meeting in the Fall of 1998, had been contacted and only Mr. B. Krafchek indicated that he still wishes to be considered for appointment. Mr. K. Cenerelli inquired why he had not been appointed during the annual appointment meeting. Councillor Jake Smola responded that, at that time, Mr. Krafchek was a resident of Breslau and the City's policy is to appoint residents of the municipality. Councillor Smola pointed out that Mr. Krafchek has since taken up residency in the City of Kitchener and, accordingly, is eligible for appointment. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - It was resolved: "That Mr. Bruce Krafchek be appointed to the Environmental Committee to fill an existing vacancy for the balance of a term to expire November 30, 1999." By general consent, it was agreed to delay filling of the second vacancy until Council's Annual Appointment meeting to be held in the Fall of this year, unless the City was to undertake advertising for any other Committee appointments. 8. "YOU NEED TREE CITY U.S.A." Councillor J. Haalboom provided the Committee with an article entitled "You Need Tree City U.S.A.". She advised that the article promotes an annual action plan to plant and maintain City trees. She asked that the Committee consider investigating development of such a plan at a future meeting. The Committee agreed to place this matter on its Unfinished Business list for future consideration. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. J. Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator