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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-07ENVY2000-06-07 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MNUTES JUNE 77 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, commencing at 3:35 p.m., under Councillor Jake Smola, Chair, with the following members present: Messrs. R. Dal Bello, B. Krafchek and H. Linseman. Councillor J. Haalboom, Ms. S. Hultquist and Messrs. A. Alsafouti and J. Kay were in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. B. Stanley, E. Kovacs, S. Gyorffy, D. Daly and T. Boutilier. This meeting of the Environmental Committee began without a quorum present. PRESENTATION - CITY OF KITCHENER STORM WATER MANAGEMENT POLICY The Committee was in receipt of a brief outline dated May 11, 2000 of a presentation to be made this date with respect to the proposed City of Kitchener Stormwater Management Policy. The purpose of the policy is to guide future location, design and implementation of stormwater management facilities within the municipality. Mr. E. Kovacs advised that in 1999 staff undertook a review of the existing policy for storm water management with a view to developing a new master plan. Key elements during this review focused on environmental issues and process improvements. Mr. Kovacs advised that the firm of Totten Sims Hubicki Associates was retained to conduct the study, who have gathered detailed data for input into a database system. Mr. Kovacs introduced Mr. Ray Tufgar, representing the Consultant Firm, in attendance this date to provide the Committee with an overview of the study to date. Mr. Tufgar provided an overhead presentation highlighting various aspects of the study process and conclusions to date, including: · the study process: review of existing facilities, stream conditions, potential locations where alternatives are feasible, compilation of a database, aerial photographs and mapping; · objectives: reduction of contaminants, increased flow of groundwater, enhancements to stream systems, maximize source control with pollution prevention/infiltration, larger City-owned communal systems/efficiency in expenditures, net gain in fisheries · analysis summary: review and evaluation of aerial photographs, mapping, streams, estimates of contaminates and associated costs for removal · classification system: 7 categories including, undeveloped areas with SWM potential; developed areas with existing quality features to current criteria; developed areas with existing quantity control that may be potentially upgraded to quality control; developed areas with existing quantity control that cannot be upgraded to provide quality control; potential areas for new SWM facilities; developed areas with no SWM potential that discharge to a concrete channel; developed areas with no SWM potential that discharge to a natural, mixed or channelized creek · findings: 2,520 ha have high potential for redevelopment/infill; of that number, 660 ha discharges to concrete channels that cannot be rehabilitated and no SWM ponds can be implemented · influential factors: centralized facilities to monitor and conduct regular maintenance; how and/or who maintains site control/assurances; implementation of stream rehabilitation; funding; erosion control plus environmental enhancements · slides: various types of SWM facilities and capital costs · 2 options: conduct SWM across municipality regardless of category or conduct SWM in conjunction with stream rehabilitation. During Mr. Tufgar's presentation, Ms. S. Hultquist and Mr. A. Alsafouti entered the meeting. The Committee then entered into a discussion during which the following issues were touched upon: affects of salt run-off during winter months; identification of streams/incidental habitats; funding options; GRCA involvement in the process; water monitoring; monitoring water quantity in relation to storm effects; mandatory sump pump/storm connections for new development. During this discussion, Mr. J. Kay entered the meeting and a quorum was now present. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2000 - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION - CITY OF KITCHENER STORM WATER MANAGEMENT POLICY (CONT'D) In response to further questioning, Mr. Tufgar advised that a final report was not yet complete; however, he would provide members of the Committee with documentation used during the study process. The Committee requested that the draft report, when prepared, be presented to the Environmental Committee at a future meeting and Mr. E. Kovacs concurred with this request. Councillor Jake Smola thanked Mr. Tufgar and staff for providing the Committee with this presentation. PRESENTATION - COMMUNITY PESTICIDE AWARENESS PROGRAM The Committee was in receipt of Planning Staff Report BPS 00/28 dated February 18, 2000 recommending approval of a grant under the Community Development Infrastructure Program to the Get Rid of Urban Pesticides organization (The GROUP). A grant in the amount of $1,500.00 was approved by City Council on March 20, 2000. The Committee was also in receipt of a pamphlet and additional information on the use of pesticides provided by Ms. S. Koswan, member of The GROUP. Councillor J. Haalboom entered the meeting at this time. Ms. S. Koswan appeared as a delegation and, on behalf of The GROUP, extended appreciation for the grant provided. She advised that the organization has targeted service clubs, neighbourhood associations and church groups as a base for disseminating information regarding the use of pesticides. To date, three workshops have been conducted with very positive response. Participants are provided with an overview of the hazards of pesticide use and alternative measures. As a matter of interest, Ms. Koswan advised that The Group will be hosting a garden tour in the Victoria Park area on Sunday, June 25, 2000. In addition, Ms. Koswan advised that a Region-wide meeting was held on May 31st during which participants concluded that a Region- wide education program is needed. Further Region-wide meetings are proposed and Ms. Koswan invited members of the Committee to attend. Councillor Jake Smola inquired if The Group had an Internet web site and Ms. Koswan advised they did not. Councillor Smola suggested that staff work with this organization to include information on the City's Home Page. In this regard, Mr. B. Stanley advised that the City is currently working with Brickworks Communications Inc. to re-design the City's Home Page and this would be an opportune time to make enhancements to the Environmental Committee's location within the Home Page. In addition, Mr. J. Kay suggested that other environmental groups currently supported by the City also be included, such as the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality and the Residential Energy Efficiency Program (R.E.E.P.). On motion by Mr. A. Alsafouti- it was resolved: "That as part of the current project being undertaken by Brickworks Communications Inc. to re-design the City's Home Page, staff be directed to develop appropriate information for inclusion under the Environmental Committee's location within the Home Page with respect to the 3 environmental groups currently supported by the City, being The GROUP, R.E.E.P. and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality; and further, That any additional requests for inclusion on the City's Home Page by other environmental groups be referred to the Environmental Committee for consideration and recommendation." Discussion was also undertaken with respect to proposed Federal legislation and, in particular, the Caccia Report entitled "Pesticides - Making the Right Choice for the Protection of Health and the Environment" and Private Members Bill (Marlene Jennings) C-388, "An Act to Prohibit the use of Chemical Pesticides for Non-Essential Purposes". As a result of these discussions, it was PRESENTAITON - COMMUNITY PESTICIDE AWARENESS PROGRAM (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2000 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER suggested that the Committee receive copies of this documentation and review same over the summer months in preparation for discussion at the Committee's meeting to be held in September. Councillor Jake Smola also suggested that all members of Council who may have an interest in this matter be invited to attend the September Environmental Committee meeting. On motion by Mr. J. Kay- it was resolved: "That Council be advised the Environmental Committee intends to review recommendations contained in a Federal Government Environmental Study known as the "Caccia Report" which proposes a 5 year phasing-in of a ban on residential use of pesticides, together with a Private Members Bill (Marlene Jennings) C-388, at its meeting to be held on September 7, 2000; and further, That all members of Council who may have an interest in this matter be invited to join in the Environmental Committee's discussion on September 7th." It was further suggested that Ms. S. Koswan register as a delegation for the next televised Council meeting to be held on Monday, September 18, 2000, to make a similar presentation to City Council. Ms. Koswan concurred with this suggestion. Councillor Jake Smola thanked Ms. Koswan for her presentation this date. Councillor Jake Smola then left the meeting and Councillor J. Haalboom assumed the Chair. PRESENTATION - RIVER RENDEZVOUS 2000 CONFERENCE The Committee was in receipt of a letter dated February 19, 2000, together with background material, from Mr. Ryan Plummer, Conference Co-ordinator, advising that a non-profit organization known as Ontario Streams would be hosting a major educational conference to promote awareness and education relative to aquatic conservation objectives. The conference is known as River Rendezvous 2000 and will take place at Bingeman Park from June 23 to 25, 2000. Mr. R. Plummer appeared as a delegation and provided a brief overview of events planned for the conference and invited members to attend. In addition, he reviewed the support package which seeks sponsorship of the event in various forms. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that this event would meet the criteria for sponsorship under the City's Community Environment Stewardship Fund and suggested that the Committee consider approving a sponsorship in the amount of $1,000.00. The Committee reviewed the various forms of sponsorship and it was agreed to sponsor a keynote speaker. On motion by Mr. H. Alsafouti- it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee sponsor a Keynote Speaker at the 'River Rendezvous 2000' event to be held at Bingeman Park, Kitchener on June 23 to 25, 2000, in the amount of $1,000.00 to be funded from the Capital Budget - Community Environment Stewardship Fund." Mr. Plummer thanked the Committee for their support and advised that 2 free tickets to the conference banquet to be held on Saturday, June 24th would be supplied. Members of the Committee were advised to contact Ms. J. Billett if they had an interest in acquiring the tickets to attend the banquet. Councillor J. Haalboom thanked Mr. Plummer for his presentation this date. 4. EARTH DAY 2000 - UPDATE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2000 - 28 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. T. Boutilier provided an overview of the Earth Day event held on April 28 and 29, 2000. It was pointed out that the hands-on outdoor events, such as the Falcon/Snake Displays and Dirty Sock Contest, were very successful. Indoor events, such as the address given by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Mr. G. Miller, which attempted to provoke discussion and debate were less successful due in some part to their controversial nature and the excellent weather experienced that day. As a result, the Organizing Committee concluded that next year's event will be held outdoors with more hands-on activities, together with a Community Clean-up Program. In addition, Mr. Boutilier advised that it was difficult to obtain media attention as this year's event was held after the official Earth Day and, accordingly, next year's event will be planned to take place on Earth Day. Mr. Boutilier thanked the Committee for their support in obtaining additional funding for Earth Day and also thanked Ms. B. Luckhardt and Mr. B. Krafchek for their volunteer participation and help in organizing the event. Mr. Boutilier advised that staff anticipate a bigger and better event next year and presented the Committee with several T-shirts left over from this year's event. Councillor J. Haalboom referred to the Earth Day event held at the Southwest Optimist Park, noting that a special bird had been released. Mr. D. Daly advised that a Great Horned Owl had been found injured and nursed back to health and it was felt appropriate to release the bird back into the wild as part of this event. TREES FOR OUR FUTURE - UPDATE The Committee was provided with a report dated June 7, 2000, from Mr. T. Boutilier, Senior Planner, highlighting experiences of last years program and areas of progress made as a result, together with the content of the 2000 Trees for Our Future Program. Mr. Boutilier advised that this is the 2nd year run for this program and the Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge are now also participating. It was noted that 9 centres are participating and sales are proceeding well. The cost sharing arrangement was reviewed and members of the Committee were encouraged to assist in distribution of information pertaining to the program. APPOINTMENTS a) Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality On motion by Mr. J. Kay- it was resolved: "That Mr. Hussein Alsafouti be appointed as a representative of the Environmental Committee to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality for a term expiring on November 30, 2000; and further, That no additional appointment of a member of Kitchener City Council be made to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality." b) Residential Enerqy Efficiency Project (R.E.E.P.) Advisory Board By general consent, it was agreed to defer consideration of this appointment to the Committee's next meeting to be held on Thursday, September 7, 2000. TOUR - TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING CANADA INC. - CAMBRIDGE PLANT The Committee was in receipt of staff report CPRS-00-016 dated May 26, 2000, from Ms. J. Billett, Committee Administrator, advising that a tour of Toyota Motor Manufacturing's Cambridge Plant has been arranged for Wednesday, August 23, 2000, commencing at 6:00 p.m. 7. TOUR- TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING CANADA INC. - CAMBRIDGE PLANT (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2000 - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER Ms. J. Billett advised that Toyota has granted approval for 20 participants to attend the tour. Accordingly, priority will be given to Committee members with remaining members of Council and appropriate staff to be invited pending available space. Ms. Billett inquired as to the Committee's wish with respect to transportation and members of the Committee present agreed that car pooling should be utilized for transportation to and from the plant. Ms. Billett advised that further information would be forthcoming to members of the Committee and any other participants over the summer months, prior to the tour date. WATERLOO REGION ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS CEREMONY 10. Councillor J. Haalboom invited all members of the Environmental Committee to attend the Awards Ceremony for presentation of the Waterloo Region Environmental Sustainability Awards to be held at Kitchener City Hall on Thursday, June 8, 2000, commencing at 5:30 p.m. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · excerpt from Planning & Economic Development Committee Minutes of May 15, 2000 and Council Minutes of May 23, 2000 - Drive-Through Facilities · Earth Day - Thank-you Letter - May 17, 2000 - Councillor Jake Smola to Mr. Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario · Letter dated May 19, 2000 from Mr. H. Huotari, Delcan Corporation re Transportation Environmental Study Report - Improvements to Highway 401 and Waterloo Regional Road 28 (Homer Watson Boulevard) ADJOURNMENT On motion, the Committee adjourned at 5:55 p.m. J. Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator