HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-20 - Climate Change and Environment Committee - Minutes
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 20, 2023 - 1 - CITY OF KITCHENER
200 King Street W.
th
5 Floor, Adams-Seymour Rm. A & B
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
Present: K. Bockasten, M. Shafii, M. Garner, B. Unrau, B. Wallis, K. Loveless, M. J. Patterson, V. Nhio-son,
Cllr. A. Clancy, Cllr. S. Davey
Regrets: J. Clary-Lemon, G. Johannesson, B. Kurczak, S. Wyness, F. Tohidi
Staff:
A. M. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
T. Donegani, Senior Planner
N. Goss, Manager Policy & Research
S. Lodenquai, Committee Administrator
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
J. Oosterveld, Manager Customer Experience & Project Management
L. Reesor-Keller, Project Manager Energy Management
J. Zunic, Planner (Policy)
COMMENCEMENT
The Climate Change and Environment Committee began this date at 4:03 p.m. with a Land
Acknowledgement given by the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
None.
DELEGATIONS
Angela Olano, Communications and Community Engagement, Region of Waterloo
Ashley Graham, Land Portfolio, Development, Region of Waterloo
Ben Balfour, Facilitator Overlap Associates
Matthew Chandy, Director, Innovation & Economic Development, Region of Waterloo
Ryan Voisin, Facilitator, Overlap Associates
1. KITCHENER’S GREAT PLACES AWARDS – SUSTAINABLE KITCHENER JURY PANEL – CCEC
REPRESENTATIVE
J. Oosterveld attended the committee member seeking a Climate Change and Environment Advisory
Committee representative to participate in the selection process of the Kitchener’s Great Places Awards
program.
The time commitment will depend on the number of submissions and the review will take place
approximately in the second week of June. The committee was informed the ceremony is scheduled for the
evening of November 8th and all committee members will be invited to attend.
V. Nhio-Son nominated themselves. No further nominations were forthcoming.
On motion by K. Loveless –
It was resolved:
“That Veronica Nhio-Son represent the Climate Change and Environment Committee on the Sustainable
Kitchener Jury Panel for the Kitchener’s Great Places Awards selection process.”
Carried
2. CHARLES STREET TERMINAL VISIONING – STAKEHOLDER LABS
Committee members were guided through a Stakeholder Lab on the topic of Climate Action as it pertains to
the Charles Street Terminal Project with facilitators of Overlap Associates, R. Voisin and B. Balfour. Region
of Waterloo staff, A. Olano and A. Graham were also there to take notes.
The session included an overview of the Charles Street Terminal project and an overview of the session’s
activity. Committee members were asked to describe their individual ideation and later broke out into
smaller groups for discussion where facilitators took notes and captured feedback.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 20, 2022 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER
The committee was invited to direct any further questions or feedback to A. Olano, Region of Waterloo by
email.
3. DISTRICT ENERGY FEASIBLITY STUDY
The committee was in receipt of staff presentation by T. Donegani, N. Goss, and J. Zunic which provided
members with background information regarding the concept of District Energy, its benefits and opportunities,
an overview of the open loop geothermal energy opportunity in Downtown Kitchener, a summary of the
Downtown Kitchener District Energy Systems prefeasibility study of 2020 and an outline of scope of the
current detailed technical and financial feasibility study.
After clarifying questions from the committee were addressed by staff, T. Donegani and J. Zunic sought
support for the resolution outlined below. After the committee discussed whether to amend the resolution to
include a condition upon which the City of Kitchener would maintain ownership, it was ultimately withdrawn.
On motion by B. Wallis –
It was resolved:
“That the Climate Change and Environment Committee supports continued development of the
downtown district energy system business case including the exploration of partnership opportunities for its
funding, delivery and operations.”
Carried, unamended.
Cllr. Clancy and Cllr. Davey departed the meeting.
4. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING FORMAT: IN-PERSON VS.
VIRTUAL
The committee was in receipt of a proposed new meeting schedule alternating between in-person and virtual
formats for the remainder of 2023. The committee was advised that if a new schedule was determined that
it would not be changeable.
It was proposed the item be deferred until more members of the committee are present for input to which all
present agreed.
On motion by B. Wallis –
It was resolved:
“That the Climate Change and Environment Committee review and decide on a rotating meeting
schedule and format at the next meeting.”
Carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Through the Chair A.M. Cipriani introduced new City of Kitchener staff member, Luke Reesor-Keller, Project
Manager Energy Management, Facilities Management Division - Infrastructure Services Department.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
Shannon Lodenquai
Committee Administrator