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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-04ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MNUTES JANUARY 4, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, commencing at 4:20 p.m., without a quorum present. The following members were in attendance: Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Messrs. Jake Smola and F. Wende. Mayor C. Zehr was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present:Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. B. Stanley and T. Potworka. Ms. J. Billett, Committee Administrator, assumed the Chair for the purpose of appointing a new Chair to the Environmental Committee. 1. APPOINTMENT - ELECTION OF CHAIR On motion by Mr. F. Wende - it was resolved: "That Councillor Berry Vrbanovic be appointed Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 2001." Councillor B. Vrbanovic then assumed the Chair. 2. APPOINTMENT - ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR On motion by Mr. J. Smola - it was resolved: "That Councillor Mike Galloway be appointed Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire November 30, 2001." 3. APPOINTMENT - CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AIR QUALITY By general consent, it was agreed to defer appointment of an Environmental Committee representative to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality to the Committee's next meeting to be held on Thursday, February 1, 2001. 4. PROPOSED COMMITTEE MEETING DATE SCHEDULE On motion by Mr. F. Wende - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee approve holding its 2001 meetings at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings on the dates listed below: January 4May 3September 6 February 1June 7October 4 March 1July 5November 1 April 5August NoneDecember 6." 5. TERMS OF REFERENCE - REVISION/COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that in the Committee's Terms of Reference the membership of the Committee indicates that a minimum of 4 members from Council will be appointed. In this regard, he pointed out that the size of Council has been reduced and, accordingly, the number of Council members appointed to the Committee has also been reduced to 2 members. Accordingly, Mr. B. Stanley requested that the Terms of Reference be revised to reflect that a minimum of 2 members from Council will be appointed to the Committee. On motion by Mr. J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the phrase 'a minimum of 4 members from Council' in Item 3 (a), Membership and Organization, of the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Committee be revised to read 'a minimum of 2 members from Council'." ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 4, 2001- 2 -CITY OF KITCHENER 5. TERMS OF REFERENCE - REVISION/COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP (CONT'D) The Committee then entered into a discussion with respect to additional appointments and establishment of selection criteria. It was suggested that the Committee may benefit from establishing criteria that would require individuals to be representative of related fields of expertise. These may be from business fields, industry, academics and/or environmental community groups. In addition, it was suggested that consideration be given to longer terms of service to maintain continuity of expertise. Concern was raised that establishing criteria relative to expertise may result in the exclusion of individuals from the general population having an interest in environmental issues; however, it was pointed out that the intent is not to exclude the general population but rather augment with specific disciplines. Council's policy regarding residency was also discussed and it was suggested that Council would be receptive to waiving this requirement in favour of gaining related expertise for the Committee. Following discussion, staff were directed to review the Terms of Reference and provide a report outlining proposed revisions dealing with selection criteria for additional appointments relative to the issues and concerns raised this date. In addition, it was agreed that the motion to amend the Terms of Reference to reduce the number of Council representatives would be held in abeyance pending further review and revisions to the Terms of Reference. 6. CS/BPS-00-172 - EARTH DAY 2001 The Committee was in receipt of the above joint staff report from Mr. J. Nelson and Mr. T. Boutilier, dated December 13, 2000, outlining proposed activities for the Earth Day Festival 2001 and requesting an increase in funding. Mr. B. Stanley advised that this years focus for the Earth Day Festival will be to hold celebrations out-of-doors and involve the community in family activities such as a Community Wide Clean-up Campaign, together with work projects in each of the six new Wards. In addition, tours and demonstrations will be conducted in environmental areas such as the Huron Natural Area, the Trans Canada Trail or Walter Bean Trail. Mr. B. Stanley advised that two sub-committee's comprise the overall working group established to organize Earth Day events. One sub-committee will deal with organizing the Community Wide Clean-up Campaign, while the other will organize the community based work projects, tours and demonstrations. Mr. Stanley pointed out that the proposed budget for Earth Day 2001 is currently $11,200.; however, this does not include required funding for the clean-up campaign. In this regard, he advised that staff are requesting an additional $5,000.00 be included in the Earth Day budget to provide for costs involved with the clean-up. Discussion was then entered into with regard to the proposed budget increase and it was determined that the additional $5,000. represented new funding. During this discussion, concern was raised that the funding would be used to off-set regular staff time in addition to overtime costs. In this regard, Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that the funding should only be used to cover overtime costs and not existing staff time already paid for from Departmental budgets. Mr. B. Stanley then pointed out that the 2001 Earth Day has been established as Sunday, April 22, 2001. In this regard, he enquired if the Committee had any concerns with celebrations taking place on a Sunday. It was generally agreed that the festivities should go ahead on the Sunday; however, staff were directed to restrict festivities to the afternoon hours. It was further pointed out that the Earth Day Organizing Committee are requesting 2 representatives from the Environmental Committee to be appointed to assist in preparations for Earth Day celebrations. Mr. F. Wende volunteered to be one of the 2 representatives and the Committee concurred. Appointment of a second representative was deferred to the Committee's next meeting; however, Ms. Billett was requested to canvass remaining members of the Committee to determine their interest and invite any interested member to attend the January 17th meeting of the Earth Day Organizing Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 4, 2001- 3 -CITY OF KITCHENER 6. CS/BPS-00-172 - EARTH DAY 2001 (CONT'D) On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That events to celebrate Earth Day 2001 be held on the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, 2001; and, That Mr. F. Wende be appointed as a representative of the Environmental Committee to the Oganizing Committee dealing with Earth Day events; and further, That the proposed budget of $11,200. for the Earth Day 2001 program be increased by an additional $5,000. to provide for an expenditure of up to $16,200. to accommodate costs involved with a Community Wide Clean-up Campaign." 7. RESOLUTION - CITY OF TORONTO/BOARD OF HEALTH The Committee was in receipt of a letter dated October 18, 2000 from the City of Toronto's Board of Health requesting endorsation of a resolution requesting the Province of Ontario and the Minister of Environment to establish regulations to ensure conversion of coal-fired power plants to natural gas. Mr. B. Stanley advised that de-regulation of the hydro industry has raised great concern with the potential impact this may have on air quality. Ontario Power Generation has announced plans to reduce air emissions from coal-fired power plants; however, the proposed reductions do not meet the targets set under an international agreement being negotiated under the Federal Government and the United States, and will still result in noxious pollutants being emitted into the air. Mr. Stanley stated that the resolution from the City of Toronto is based on health related issues and seeks to eliminate coal-fired power plants through conversion to natural gas. Mr. J. Smola stated that the City is a member of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance and suggested that it would be appropriate for staff to contact the Alliance to determine their position regarding the content of this resolution. Members of the Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to obtain input from the Alliance to ensure that the resolution does not weaken the Alliance's position. Staff were directed to contact the Ontario Clean Air Alliance to obtain their input with respect to the resolution from the Toronto Board of Health and report back to the Committee's next meeting scheduled for February 1st. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN By general consent, it was agreed that discussion relative to review and revision of the Environmental Strategic Plan would be deferred pending recruitment and appointment of additional members to the Committee. 9. FCM - 2001 NATIONAL CONFERENCE - SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) will be holding a conference from February 8 - 10, 2001 in Ottawa. The theme of the conference is "Creating a Better Quality of Life Through Sustainable Community Development." It was suggested that information pertaining to the conference be circulated with the minutes of this meeting and any member of the Committee having an interest in attending should contact either Councillor B. Vrbanovic, telephone 741-2243 or Ms. J. Billett, telephone 741-2276. 10. ADJOURNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 4, 2001- 4 -CITY OF KITCHENER On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. J. Billett, Committee Administrator