HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-15 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes
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Climate Change and Environment Committee
Committee Minutes
May 15, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407
Present: K. Charlesworth, Co-Chair
V. Nhio-son, Co-Chair
Councillor S. Davey, Member
A. Hohenadel, Member
A. Di Battista, Member
C. Corcoran, Member
J. Phan, Member
P. Boot, Member
P. Nojo, Member
S. Baer, Member
Staff: A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
F. Wade, Sustainability Advisor
N. Goss, Manager, Policy & Research
E. Islemecioglu, Committee Administrator
T. Donegani, Senior Planner
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Commencement
The meeting began at 4:00 p.m. with a Land Acknowledgement given by the
Chair.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
3. Delegations
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None.
4. Discussion Items
4.1 Kitchener 2051, DSD-2025-206
T. Donegani, Senior Planner with the City of Kitchener, presented on the
Kitchener 2051 Official Plan, focusing on the physical changes anticipated in the
community as the city prepares to grow by approximately 150,000 people. The
presentation emphasized the importance of aligning this growth with community
values and incorporating those values at the policy level in the Official Plan
update. The current plan from 2014 is being refreshed, with integration across
the Region’s seven municipalities. P. Boot asked about alignment with other city
plans and supporting documents, to which T. Donegani emphasized regular
updates and reference to strategies such as the Strategic Plan 2023–26 and
TransformWR.
The discussion focused on “big ideas” and 18 priorities related to
neighbourhoods, economy, and environment. K. Charlesworth expressed
concern about the traditional structuring of priorities into social, economic, and
environmental categories, suggesting that this approach reinforces silos and may
hinder integrated thinking. V. Nhio-son agreed and recommended using system
maps to identify overlaps, also stressing the importance of genuine engagement
with Indigenous communities in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
A. Di Battista noted that the environment is not adequately reflected in the
current themes and emphasized the need for integration across categories like
economy and environment. She stressed that all elements should be connected,
with sustainable and green neighbourhoods serving as a foundation for broader
integration. V. Nhio-son added that working alongside Indigenous communities is
essential to incorporate Indigenous worldviews and cultural perspectives into the
planning process.
Following the discussion, P. Boot offered a different perspective, recognizing the
complexity and challenge of creating such a comprehensive plan. V. Nhio-son
suggested using color-coding to improve visual accessibility, and K.
Charlesworth noted that while there are linkages between themes, they are not
clearly shown in the document. J. Phan emphasized the value of visuals or
diagrams to better understand how elements connect within the Official Plan
2051. C. Corcoran supported the idea of a unified diagram, and S. Baer added
that visuals should better reflect broader environmental concepts beyond just
trees. P. Boot encouraged viewing the plan through multiple lenses. K.
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Charlesworth concluded by suggesting a focus on areas with the most
connections and critiqued the current wording of the document.
N. Goss noted the importance of making challenging decisions due to the
impossibility of addressing all priorities simultaneously and introduced the
Emerging Directions exercise to initiate committee discussion. K. Charlesworth
started the discussion by sharing her concerns about the lack of focus on climate
and affordable housing, and suggested ensuring all priorities reflect social,
economic, and environmental lenses. Others agreed on making linkages explicit
to ensure broader understanding and proposed grouping related themes for
clarity.
A. Di Battista emphasized the need for integrated approaches, noting that
projects like affordable housing should also consider environmental standards. K.
Charlesworth reiterated that all key aspects must be made explicit to be effective.
N. Goss acknowledged that some actions were intentionally left vague to allow
for open discussion and noted the importance of an accessible process and
materials to support the Official Plan. P. Boot highlighted a recent report
indicating high local emissions, particularly from transportation, homes, and
businesses, suggesting this may warrant prioritization.
V. Nhio-son raised the importance of housing, with A. Di Battista emphasizing
collaboration across government levels to prioritize affordable and sustainable
homes, which K. Charlesworth supported. S. Baer noted the need for
accessibility and good location to enhance mobility. N. Goss reminded the
committee about the limited funding and the difficulty of prioritization. C. Corocan
questioned what can realistically be influenced at the City level, N. Goss clarified
that while some changes require higher-level support, the City can still set targets
and guide direction. J. Phan then suggested phasing the strategy to ease
prioritization, proposing mapping as a helpful tool.
At the end of the discussion, committee members voted and nominated actions
to prioritize.
On motion -
It was resolved:
That the comments provided by the Climate Change and Environment
Committee as part of the discussion through the Kitchener 2051 Community
Conversation Kit be provided to staff for consideration as part of the Official Plan
update process.
Carried
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5. Information Items
5.1 Sub-Committee Updates
Environmental Rodent Control Impacts -
C. Corcoran provided a presentation and an update on the ongoing work of the
sub-committee. The presentation focused on the environmental impacts of
rodenticides, specifically the harm they cause through nervous system failure in
targeted species. An overview of applicable policies and legislation was provided,
along with examples of approaches taken by other municipalities.
K. Charlesworth asked what actions could or should be taken moving forward. C.
Corcoran responded that a pilot program might be an appropriate first step.
The Committee was reminded that any discussions intended to advance the
business of any items should be routed through staff to ensure appropriate
direction and engagement with the relevant City of Kitchener staff.
Sustainable Food Systems -
K. Charlesworth suggested that members be appointed to the Sustainable Food
Systems Sub-committee at the next meeting to begin work on this initiative.
Committee/Council Report Template Change(s) -
K. Charlesworth reported on recent meetings with City staff, K. Chisholm from
the Waterloo Region, and sustainability office representatives. She shared her
observation and interest in further understanding how the City’s sustainability
work is being reflected in relation to broader initiatives at the Region level.
Additionally, she commented on the current TransformWR reporting and
expressed interest in exploring more or different reporting approaches.
It was noted that K. Chisholm will be attending the next meeting to present and
outline the current TransformWR reporting framework.
5.2 Agenda Setting & Motion Process and Procedures
N. Goss provided general information on the agenda-setting process. E.
Islemecioglu then explained the agenda-setting timelines and deadlines,
explaining how to request agenda items moving forward.
E. Islemecioglu also noted that agenda-setting meetings will be held on the fourth
Thursday of every month, with all agenda items due two days prior, on Tuesdays.
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The Committee was also reminded that the agenda-setting deadlines document
is attached to the May agenda.
6. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Eda Islemecioglu
Committee Administrator