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Home My WebLink About2025-11-20 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes 1 Climate Change and Environment Committee Committee Minutes November 20, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Conestoga Room City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407 Present: V. Nhio-son, Co-Chair Councillor S. Davey, Member Councillor S. Stretch, Member A. Di Battista, Member B. Wallis, Member J. Clary-Lemon, Member J. Phan, Member P. Boot, Member P. Nojo, Member S. Baer, Member Staff: N. Goss, Manager, Policy & Research A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer F. Wade, Sustainability Advisor E. Islemecioglu, Committee Administrator M. Balch, Planner (Policy) S. Anderson, Engagement Associate, Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities J. Yuan, Co-op Student, Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The meeting began at 4:00 pm with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Chair. Before proceeding with the agenda, Co-Chair Veronica announced that K. Charlesworth had resigned from the Climate Change and Environment Advisory 2 Committee and further noted that she herself would also be resigning following this meeting. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Delegations 4. Discussion Items 4.1 Integrated Stormwater Master Plan Update, INS-2025-447, INS-2025-447, INS-2025-447 S. Anderson, Engagement Associate with the Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities, presented an update on the Integrated Stormwater Master Plan. The discussion focused on making Kitchener flood-ready, acknowledging that while flooding cannot be entirely prevented, a comprehensive scope and engagement process are essential. S. Anderson outlined the project timelines and key achievements to date. V. Nhio-son expressed appreciation for the inclusion of renters in the plan, noting the challenges they face during and after flooding without adequate preparation, and raised the need for property owners to ensure renter readiness. In response, S. Anderson highlighted the significance of prioritizing areas with high marginalized indices and addressing related challenges, stressing the need for support for residents living in high-risk areas and identifying ways the City can improve its assistance. Committee members received discussion papers intended to gather feedback on significant challenges and opportunities the City of Kitchener should address through stormwater management, incorporating participation from CCEC and impact-driven lens. J. Clary-Lemon commended the plan for its diverse perspective and asked about ways to increase engagement by design. It was noted that integrating solutions into design is a priority. When Jennifer followed up by asking about the use of native plants, the team confirmed that pollinator gardens would be included, with eight planned for construction over the next few years and efforts to integrate native species wherever possible. P. Boot raised concerns that SSU work often appears out of sight and asked what insights from previous engagement rounds had influenced changes to the plan or direction. S. Anderson explained that implementation requires working hand-in-hand with the community and investing in proactive engagement, noting that change is challenging when residents are not involved or informed. 3 A. Di Battista asked whether stormwater management projects are being prioritized alongside other City construction initiatives. It was confirmed that prioritization has been in place since Council approved the stormwater policy in 2018. A. Di Battista followed up by asking if the upcoming plan includes a public education component or an incentive program, and it was confirmed that education components will be included. J. Phan expressed appreciation for the equity lens applied to the plan and suggested an opportunity to explain and quantify the ecosystem services provided by stormwater management. V. Nhio- son added that helping residents understand these benefits is essential and noted that SSU management also involves branching out to create stronger connections across systems. Cllr. Davey concluded by suggesting the possibility of revisiting key highlights from previous initiatives. 4.2 Kitchener 2051, DSD-2025-461 M. Balch, Planner (Policy) with the City of Kitchener, presented the draft Official Plan summary, Kitchener 2051, and provided an overview of its key directions. Feedback was heard regarding the emphasis on reducing fossil fuel use and energy consumption, as well as switching to clean energy and heat through partnerships. The plan also prioritizes protecting urban heritage. Positive feedback was received from the committee members. J. Phan asked about reducing barriers, and it was noted that once the Official Plan is finalized, the zoning by-law will be updated to support greater energy generation. B. Wallis inquired about comparisons to the previous Official Plan, and M. Balch confirmed that a review of the current plan and the Regional plan was conducted to identify policies that remain relevant. P. Boot asked about next steps and timelines for integrating updates into decisions, and M. Balch explained that work will continue with internal and external partners, aligning with ongoing and future planning initiatives. J. Clary- Lemon asked about bird-friendly city considerations, and A. Di Battista raised the importance of sustainable food systems, suggesting comprehensive indicators and community contributions, noting that the Official Plan is a starting point for broader climate resilience and nature engagement efforts. B. Wallis questioned whether the City is being built to ensure accessibility without reliance on active transportation. This prompted a discussion among members, and the planning team provided explanations and considerations currently being explored. Councillor Stretch emphasized the importance of establishing measurable outcomes while maintaining flexibility in implementation. On motion - 4 It was resolved: "That the Climate Change and Environment Committee’s comments be considered by staff as input on the draft Official Plan." Carried 4.3 Council Report Template Discussion, DSD-2025-457 P. Boot led a presentation on proposed changes to the Committee and Council Report Template, continuing the discussion from the previous meeting. The sub- committee explored options to increase accountability for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and reviewed research on other municipalities’ report templates that incorporate a more explicit climate lens. Committee members agreed that such lenses should be integrated into decision-making as a reminder of priorities. The sub-committee proposed the following motion: The Climate Change and Environment Advisory Committee recommends that when the next regularly scheduled review process of the Council Report Template occurs, a climate—and specifically GHG reductions—lens be included as a standard item. It is suggested that the following questions be included in order to foster a culture of developing and applying a climate action lens in all decisions, initiatives and programs:  How will this decision increase or decrease GHG emissions in the short term (1–5 years)?  How will this decision increase or decrease GHG emissions in the long term (10–30 years, in keeping with the timeframe of the TransformWR plan)? J. Clary-Lemon asked what would happen if responses to these questions were “I do not know.” P. Boot noted that including these lenses is important even if it takes time to adapt. P. Nojo added that an “I don’t know” option would allow for a transition period and help inform decision-making, serving as a roadmap for future progress. Members agreed that having templates in place would provide direction. The committee decided to continue brainstorming key points and mechanisms for integrating a climate lens into City processes. While the reasoning was supported, questions remained about whether this approach was the best method for integration. As a result, the motion did not proceed, and the committee agreed to revisit the discussion at a future meeting. 4.4 Mid-Term Reflections 5 The scheduled discussion on mid-term reflections was deferred to accommodate sub-committee year-end updates and timing considerations. Before moving to the next agenda item, concerns regarding leadership within the Climate Change and Environment Advisory Committee were noted. 5. Information Items 5.1 Sub-Committee Year-End Updates 5.1.1 Environmental Rodent Control Impacts Cllr. Stretch reported that the sub-committee has concluded its work and noted there was no interest from members to re-establish it. Staff indicated they will prepare a report summarizing the research and work completed during the past year and will connect with former members to compile a collective summary. 5.1.2 Sustainable Food Systems The sub-committee provided an update on its ongoing work, noting that meetings have been held with staff to review existing initiatives within the City and explore intersections between climate change and sustainable food systems. The goal is to identify links between current efforts and develop a snapshot of progress. The sub-committee is currently in a fact-finding stage and continues to work on identifying opportunities for alignment and support. 5.1.3 Committee/Council Report TemplateChange(s) 5.1.4 High Performance Development Standards 6. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m. Eda Islemecioglu Committee Administrator