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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-07ENVY2000-09-07 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MNUTES SEPTEMBER 77 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., under Councillor Jake Smola, Chair, with the following members present: Councillor J. Haalboom, Ms. B. Luckhardt, Ms. S. Hultquist and Messrs. H. Linseman and B. Krafchek. Mr. A. Alsafouti was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. B.Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. D. Daly, J. McBride and T. Potworka. 1. APPOINTMENT - ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR Councillor Jake Smola advised that Councillor T. Galloway had resigned from the Environmental Committee effective June 1, 2000 and as he was the Vice-Chair of the Committee it was necessary to re-elect another member of the Committee to this position. Members of the Committee were reminded that pursuant to the Committee's Terms of Reference the position of Vice-Chair must be held by a member of Council. On motion by Ms. B. Luckhardt - it was resolved: "That Councillor J. Haalboom be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 2000, to replace Councillor T. Galloway who resigned from the Committee effective June 1,2000." 2. RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT (REEP) ADVISORY BOARD On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom it was resolved: "That Councillor Jake Smola be appointed as the City of Kitchener Environmental Committee representative on the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) Advisory Board for a term to expire November 30, 2000." 3. PEOPLE'S CAR CO-OPERATIVE The Committee was in receipt of documentation provided by the People's Car Co-operative which provides historical background, common objectives, and how municipal governments can support car sharing initiatives. The information provided also outlines the establishment of the People's Car Co-operative within Waterloo Region, together with funding proposals. Mr. Marc Xuereb, Manager and Mr. David Roewade, Director of the People's Car Co-operative, were in attendance to provide an oral overview of the project. It was noted in their presentation that car sharing is based on membership in a co-op wherein one car is made available to members of the co-op through a booking system. During the time booked, the member has exclusive use of the vehicle and thereby car sharing differs from car-pooling. Cars are located in a central location ideally within walking distance or a short bus ride. It was pointed out that car sharing was found to be most effective in areas where there is well established public transit. Mr. Xuereb and Mr. Roewade stated that car sharing has many benefits including fewer cars, less congestion and fuel consumption, less roads to be built and maintained and reduction in gas emissions. Mr. Roewade noted that since its establishment in 1999, the co-op has increased in both membership and revenues; however, with only one car in operation it has been difficult to promote growth. He stated that in order to reach sustainability and become a viable operation it is felt that the co-op needs to expand its fleet to at least 4 vehicles. In order to reach this goal, government assistance will be needed. It was pointed out that the City of Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo have endorsed the project and are providing staff assistance. Various funding proposals are also being explored, one of which is Kitchener's Community Development Infrastructure Grant Program and Mr. Roewade indicated that an application for funding under this program is being prepared for submission. The Committee then entered into discussion during which it was noted that the co-op plans to have at least one larger vehicle such as a mini-van; the cars will have a removable magnetic identification sign; membership in the co-op is restricted to those 25 years and older due to ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 -31 - CITY OF KITCHENER insurance and liability requirements; market research is to be undertaken to identify target PEOPLE'S CAR CO-OPERATIVE (Cont'd) locations; members may include such persons as seniors, families without a second vehicle and persons who cannot afford their own vehicle; success in suburban areas is less likely because of lower density and greater distances in accessing public transit. Mr. A. Alsafouti entered the meeting at this time. In response to Councillor J. Haalboom, Mr. Xuereb stated that the goal of the co-op is to add 4 cars over the next 18 months which will require funding of approximately $34,000. Half of that amount, $17,000, will be applied to Kitchener and the co-op will be seeking grant funds, again in half of this amount, for a total of $9,000. He pointed out that it was not intended that the Committee consider funding at this time but rather a more general approach was being sought through support of the establishment of the co-op and the provision of one staff person's time to attend bi-monthly meetings to assist in monitoring and evaluating the project. Mr. Xuereb noted that discussions have been undertaken with the General Manager of Business & Planning Services, who has shown support for the project and who has counselled that the emphasis should be on education and advocacy of the co-op. It was further pointed out that the co-op will be contributing upwards of 40% in financial and volunteer support of the project. The delegates then presented the Committee with a draft motion for consideration, which states as follows: "Whereas the Corporation of the City of Kitchener endorsed the Clean Air Plan in 1999, which committed the City to a number of initiatives to help reduce air pollution; and, Whereas car sharing is one such initiative that can significantly reduce private vehicle use and therefore air pollution; and, Whereas the said co-operative has demonstrated a viable plan to become a self-financing organization with a business plan by the end of its proposed project in July 2002; Therefore Be It Resolved that the Environmental Committee recommends that the Corporation of the City of Kitchener partner with the People's Car Co-operative in the "Moving People to Cleaner Air" project proposal; and further, That the Corporation of the City of Kitchener agree to a contribution to the project of in-kind time of one staff person to be appointed by Senior Management to represent the City at bi- monthly meetings to monitor and evaluate the project." In response to Councillor Jake Smola, Mr. Xuereb indicated that the co-op would be willing to consider surplus vehicles from the City's Fleet Division. Mr. J. McBride was asked to comment and he advised that staff are generally in support of the project and view the project as one component of transportation demand management. He further noted that staff are working with the co-op to determine a suitable location within the City for placement of a vehicle; however, sites are subject to availability. Following further discussion and review of the draft motion, the Committee agreed that in the absence of Mr. Stanley, they would feel more comfortable supporting partnering with the co-op in principle, with direction to staff to prepare a report for the Committee's next meeting detailing anticipated financial and staff commitment by the City to the project. In response to further questioning by Councillor Jake Smola, the delegates indicated that a link to the People's Car Co-operative Website through the City's Home Page would be beneficial. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. PEOPLE'S CAR CO-OPERATIVE (Cont'd) On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "Whereas the Corporation of the City of Kitchener endorsed the Clean Air Plan in 1999, which committed the City to a number of initiatives to help reduce air pollution; and, Whereas car sharing is one such initiative that can significantly reduce private vehicle use and therefore air pollution; and, Whereas the said co-operative has demonstrated a viable plan to become a self-financing organization with a business plan by the end of its proposed project in July 2002; Therefore Be It Resolved that the Environmental Committee recommends that Council support, in principle, partnering with the People's Car Co-operative in the 'Moving People to Cleaner Air' project proposal; and further, That the General Manager of the Department of Business & Planning Services be directed to prepare a report detailing the proposal for grant funding under the City's Community Infrastructure Grant Program and staff time commitment requested in support of the Co-op's project. 4. COMPASS KITCHENER-UPDATE It was agreed that this item would be deferred to the Committee's next meeting to be held on October 5, 2000. 5. PESTICIDES - PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL C-388 & CHARLES CACCIA REPORT The Committee was in receipt of Private Members Bill C-388 being an act to prohibit the use of chemical pesticides for non-essential purposes, as well as the Charles Caccia Report entitled "Pesticides - Making the Right Choice for the Protection of Health and the Environment". Ms. S. Koswan, The Group, appeared as a delegation and advised that a recent court case, known as the "Hudson Case" which challenges municipalities authority to enact by-laws prohibiting the use of pesticides on residential property, will be heard early in September and she looks forward to a favourable outcome for municipalities to enact such legislation. Ms. Koswan further advised that the City of Halifax has enacted a by-law that will phase-in a ban on use of cosmetic pesticides over a 4 year educational program. She pointed out that the focus of reports now being issued is on health, and in particular, the impact pesticide use has on the health of children. She noted that petitions have also been forwarded to the Province calling for the elimination of pesticide use for cosmetic purposes. Ms. Koswan stated that she hoped Kitchener would take a progressive approach toward the banning of pesticides on residential property. In this regard, she advised that the newly formed Pesticide Free Waterloo Region Committee would be holding a meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 commencing at 4:00 p.m. in Room 310 at the Waterloo Regional Health Unit located at 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo. She pointed out that the purpose of the meeting would be to hear the results of a survey undertaken by the City of Waterloo and asked for Kitchener Council representation at the meeting. Councillor Jake Smola agreed to attend and an invitation was also extended to all members of the Environmental Committee. Councillor J. Haalboom enquired if similar surveys would be conducted in Kitchener and other municipalities within the Region. Ms. Koswan advised that no other surveys were planned at this time. Councillor Haalboom stated that in order to have impact on Kitchener residents she felt a similar study would be necessary and such a survey may also provide a useful tool in determining what kind of educational programs would need to be developed. Ms. B. Steiner pointed out that the Waterloo survey had been conducted based on people's perceptions of pesticide use rather than the area that they live in and had included a wide cross-section. She ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. PESTICIDES - PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL C-388 & CHARLES CACCIA REPORT (Cont'd) noted that if deemed appropriate a survey could be undertaken in Kitchener and suggested that it may be desirable to structure such a survey differently to obtain additional data not covered by the Waterloo survey. In response to questioning, Mr. D. Daly advised that the City adopted a new Pest Management Policy 2 years ago. He commented that use of pesticides in parkland has been significantly reduced with all at less than .1%. Poison Ivy remains the only plant that requires some use of pesticides. Ms. B. Luckhardt referred to the preamble of Bill C-388 which seeks to impose a moratorium on home and recreational use of pesticides and expressed concern that the legislation would also ban the use of organic/biological pesticides. She noted that if similar legislation were to be considered by Kitchener all interests groups, and particularly Ontario Landscape, should be brought into the discussion as there is potential to affect livelihoods. Ms. Luckhardt expressed the opinion that organic/biological methods should be encouraged and rather than a moratorium, educational programs were key to gaining public acceptance of alternative methods. Councillor J. Haalboom enquired if Ms. Koswan had any comments with respect to the legislation before the Committee this date and Ms. Koswan responded that Bill C-388 was not likely to proceed as there was significant opposition by the Canadian Alliance. She further stated that she would like to see the Caccia Report go forward and be approved. In response to further questioning Ms. Koswan advised that the Health Unit has representation on the Pesticide Free Waterloo Region Committee and the Committee has developed a Mission Statement. Ms. Koswan read aloud the Mission Statement, which states as follows: "Due to health concerns associated with our dependence on pesticides our mission is to educate, advocate and develop policies to progressively reduce pesticide use to zero in Waterloo Region." A general discussion was then entered into during which members expressed the opinion that a collective approach at the Regional level would be more effective in enacting legislation to restrict and/or ban the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes and would also provide consistency throughout the Region. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that the Committee put forward a motion to support the establishment of the Pesticide Free Waterloo Region Committee and endorse its Mission Statement. Mr. T. Potworka pointed out that the Mission Statement is only in draft form and has yet to be finalized. Accordingly, it was suggested that endorsement be "in principle" and the final version be brought back to the Environmental Committee for further review. Councillor J. Haalboom stated that, as part of the motion, all municipalities within the Region should be encouraged to give their support. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom- it was resolved: "That Council supports the establishment of a Pesticide Free Waterloo Region Committee and endorses, in principle, the draft Mission Statement of the Committee, as presented to the Environmental Committee at its meeting held on September 7, 2000, and which states as follows: ' Due to health concerns associated with our dependence on pesticides our mission is to educate, advocate and develop policies to progressively reduce pesticide use to zero in Waterloo Region.'; and, That, when finalized, the Mission Statement be brought back to a future meeting of the Environmental Committee for further consideration; and further, That Council encourage all other municipalities within the Region of Waterloo to support the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER Pesticide Free Waterloo Region Committee." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items, namely: Excerpt from Council Minutes of June 19, 2000 - recommendation(s) of June 8th Environmental Committee meeting adopted by Council. Correspondence outlining the resolution(s) has been forwarded to appropriate staff and/or agencies. Letter dated August 25, 2000 from Mayor Carl Zehr on behalf of the Environmental Committee addressed to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. expressing appreciation for hosting a tour of their Cambridge Plant on Wednesday, August 23rd. Letter dated July 12, 2000 from Mr. Ryan Plummer expressing appreciation for the contribution made to River Rendezvous 2000. Letter dated June 29, 2000 from Dr. lan Rowlands enclosing a copy of minutes of the Waterloo Region Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) Advisory Board. Letter dated August 21, 2000 from Ms. Jessica Kwik, Waterloo Region Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) extending invitation to attend two Public Outreach events. Grand Actions Newsletter - July/August 2000 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the Committee adjourned at 5:55 p.m. J. Billett, Committee Administrator