Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-19 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:06 p.m. Present: Co-Chair - Councillor B. Vrbanovic was in attendance for part of this meeting. Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonders, Ms. A. Jucknies, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. B. McColl, D. Lippert, J. Wilson and C. Schneider. Staff: K. Currier, Interim General Manager of Community Services R. Shamess, Director of Engineering T. Doering, Supervisor of Golf Courses B. Steiner, Environmental Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator PRESENTATION - REGION OF WATERLOO CONSULTATION PROCESS 1. - REGIONAL PESTICIDE BY-LAW The Committee was in receipt of the ‘Region of Waterloo Draft Proposed Pesticide Reduction By- law - Councillor Information Package’, dated May 9, 2005 regarding the process to date and the next steps in the development of a possible draft By-law on the use of pesticides. Dr. Liana Nolan, Commissioner/Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo, advised that in January 2003 the Region of Waterloo proceeded to develop a Region-wide approach to reducing the non-essential use of pesticides, in co-operation with area municipalities. A Working Group was struck with representation from local area municipalities, environmental and lawn care industry representatives. She stated that the Pesticide Working Group had 2 tasks: recommend educational initiatives; and, develop the framework for a draft Pesticide By-law. She advised that in April of 2005, a Social Marketing Campaign was launched consisting of the educational material included in the information package. Further, the goal of the educational campaign is to encourage property owners to practice healthy lawn maintenance and reduce pesticide use. She stated that the Pesticide Working Group reviewed 10 existing By-laws as a starting point and presented the framework included in the information package to Regional Council in November 2004. Dr. Nolan added that Regional Council passed a motion instructing them to finalize the framework into a draft proposed By-law for public consultation and to present it to each area municipality for comment. Dr. Nolan reviewed the draft By-law and the process for public consultation outlined in the information package. She advised that this is what the By-law ‘could’ look like and that Regional Council will decide how to proceed in October 2005 after the public consultation process is complete. She stated that the key issues they are hoping to address during the public consultation process are: ? should there be setbacks from certain public places (e.g. bus stops, school yards)? ? should all land uses have the same regulations (e.g. residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, and industrial)? ? exemptions proposed: are they appropriate? Should any be changed or should there be any additions? ? should permits be allowed in certain cases? ? what should be the notification process to others when permits are issued? ? should the By-law be phased in as it is proposed? ? how should complaints be handled? and, ? various enforcement implementation questions. Dr. L. Nolan requested that specific feedback on the proposed draft By-law be directed in writing to the Regional Clerk’s Office no later than June 30, 2005. She advised that Regional staff will collate the public input and other consultation input over the summer and re-draft the proposed By- law accordingly. She noted that the re-draft completion target date has been set for September 2005, at which time the revised draft will be shared with area municipalities to allow for comment prior to the final report to Regional Council in October 2005. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19, 2005 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION - REGION OF WATERLOO CONSULTATION PROCESS 1. - REGIONAL PESTICIDE BY-LAW (CONT’D) In response to questions, Dr. L. Nolan advised that legal issues have been considered during this process and that recently the City of Toronto’s Pesticide By-law was upheld by the Courts. She added that the Region’s Legal Services have reviewed the By-law and engaged the public by asking about enforcement issues. She responded further that the Federal Government regulates the sale of pesticides and that a municipality only has jurisdiction applying to turf management. Dr. Nolan advised that the health affects relating to people coming in contact with pesticides is a concern and is part of the rationale for the by-law. She commented that the rationale behind phasing in the by-law is to raise awareness, because it would not be fair to implement it without allowing for an adjustment period. She stated that the protection of Regional wells and water supply is being addressed as part of the technical consultation process. Dr. Nolan noted that they are targeting early September to circulate the re-draft of the by-law which will go to Regional Council in October 2005. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that this matter be brought back to the Environmental Committee in early September 2005 with the possibility of holding a special Committee meeting in September to accommodate the Region’s timeframe. He stated that the Region’s Public Information Centre for the City of Kitchener is scheduled for June 16, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., which is the same time as the next Environmental Committee meeting. It was agreed that the next Environmental Committee meeting would be re-scheduled to Tuesday, June 14, 2005, to hold its regular business from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and reconvene at 7:00 p.m. to review this matter in greater detail. Subsequently, any recommendation arising from the June 14 Environmental Committee meeting will be forwarded to the Development & Technical Services Committee on June 27, 2005 with any recommendations arising therefrom going to a special Council meeting later that day. Councillor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Mr. C. Schneider assumed the Chair. BRIGADOON AND WARDS PONDS MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2. The Committee was in receipt of the draft ‘Brigadoon and Wards Ponds Environmental Assessment - Executive Summary’, dated April 14, 2005 prepared by CH2M Hill. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of the ‘Brigadoon and Wards Ponds Class Environmental Assessment Study - Draft Summary of the Open House Responses To-date’, outlining feedback and comments received from the general public in attendance at the open house. Mr. Tom Mahood, CH2M Hill, presented details of the feedback from the Study Open House, advising that 47 people attended and of those 47 they have received 8 completed comment sheets; and anticipate receiving more by next week. Mr. Mahood reviewed the summary of responses, advising that staff from the consultant team, the City of Kitchener and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) were in attendance at the open house to answer people’s questions. He stated that overall the responses were eco-themed and that most express a belief that the ponds are an asset to the Community. He added that a majority of respondents expressed an appreciation at having had the opportunity to comment. Ms. Y. Fernandes advised that she had concerns with the preferred Alternative #5 (Rehabilitate entire reach of Strasburg Creek and eliminate Wards Pond) and the effects that the draining of Wards Pond will have on the areas overall eco-system. She expressed the opinion that not enough background information was provided to support the preferred alternative. In response to questions, Mr. T. Mahood advised that failure of the dam at the Brigadoon Pond initiated investigation into the stability of the dam at Wards Pond where it was determined that structural problems existed and it was not a matter of if the dam would fail, but when. This led to a recommendation to lower the water level in Wards Pond to decrease the chance of the dam failing before their work could be completed. Mr. R. Shamess advised that breaching of the dam at Brigadoon Pond made investigation of the stability of the dam at Wards Pond and an evaluation of its’ bank erosion, a priority. Mr. Mahood added that $660,000. was put forward as a potential cost for this project; however, there are a range of methods, that vary in cost, which could lead to the desired results. For example: they can lower the water level all the way down ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19, 2005 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER BRIGADOON AND WARDS PONDS MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2. (CONT’D) and let the pond refill naturally, which would be a cheaper means of reaching the preferred alternative. He added that similar projects have costs in the range of $1M to $2M and that cost is dependent upon how aggressive you want to be in regenerating the water system. Mr. Shamess advised that to construct a new dam and rehabilitate Wards Pond would cost approximately $1.2M and that due to the existing dam being made of sandfill, lowering the water level of Wards Pond to relieve pressure is not a viable long-term option. Mr. B. McColl stated that it was his preference to rehabilitate Wards Pond as it would be less costly. Mr. T. Mahood advised that during the detailed design phase it will likely be recommended to have most of the system remediate on its own so that a more natural system develops. He did not agree with the $3M cost estimate suggested by Mr. McColl. Ms. B. Steiner added that the Environmental Assessment process is not just based on cost assessment and that all issues were balanced by the Project Team in selecting its preferred alternative. Mr. R. Shamess stated that in the preferred alternative, for every 1 tree removed, 2 or 3 will be planted in its place and the purpose of the off-line ponds are to provide a diversity of habitat. Ms. Steiner added that the Strasburg Creek floodplain has been identified by the Ministry of Environment and the Grand River Conservation Authority as a provincially significant wetland; accordingly, those groups want to ensure that this habitat is maintained. Mr. Mahood advised that cost elements were included in the evaluation process and that Alternative 5 scored the highest among all the options. Mr. C. Schneider questioned the success of the open house based upon the number of responses received and was advised that the consultants were very satisfied with the number of people who attended and anticipate receiving more responses. Ms. N. Sonders advised that even though she had not reviewed the circulated material, she agreed that more information is needed for the Committee to make an informed decision. Mr. C. Schneider suggested that this item be deferred to allow for the circulation of more information regarding the cost of this project. He was advised that this project has a timeframe to maintain and staff will be submitting a report on this matter to the Development and Technical Services Committee on June 13, 2005. Mr. D. Lippert stated that the Committee deferred this matter last month to investigate further and hear the feedback from the Public Information Centre and was of the opinion that it would be inappropriate for the Committee to defer this matter a second time. He commented that he believed due diligence had been undertaken by the consultants and that the best option has been put forward for consideration. Mr. D. Lippert declared a pecuniary interest and abstained from further discussion and voting regarding this matter as his business may have an interest in participating in the tendering process for this project. Ms. Y. Fernandes reiterated her opposition to the preferred Alternative 5, based in part on the lack of information provided regarding the costs involved. She asked that the Committee consider endorsing Alternative 4 (Rehabilitate Strasburg Creek at former Brigadoon Pond and maintain Wards Pond). On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That Alternative 4 (Rehabilitate Strasburg Creek at Former Brigadoon Pond and Maintain Wards Pond), as outlined in the Brigadoon and Wards Pond Class Environmental Assessment, prepared by CH2M Hill, dated April 14, 2005, be endorsed." STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - UPDATE 3. Ms. B. Steiner advised that staff have not yet received a decision regarding their request for more manpower to aid in updating the Strategic Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 19, 2005 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER CRPS-05-085 - EXEMPTION TO COUNCIL POLICY I-63 (APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS 4. AND COMMITTEES) The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-085, dated May 3, 2005 concerning the continued appointment of Ms. N. Sonders to the Committee, as she no longer meets the eligibility requirements of Council Policy I-63. On motion by Mr. B. McColl – it was resolved: "That notwithstanding the eligibility requirements of Council Policy I-63 (Appointment to Boards and Committees) wherein lay members appointed must either reside, work or own property in the City of Kitchener, the appointment of Ms. Nirala Sonders to the Environmental Committee, who no longer meets the eligibility requirements herein referred to, be re-affirmed for a term to expire November 30, 2006." AIR QUALITY WORKING GROUP - UPDATE 5. Ms. Y. Fernandes advised that the Working Group held a brainstorming session to determine factors affecting air quality and how they might be able to effect change. She stated that factors were classified into 3 categories: do-ability; education; and advocacy. She noted that Ms. N. Sonders volunteered to compose a draft report and present it to the Working Group for review. Mr. C. Schneider requested that a deadline be set for the completion and presentation of the draft report. It was agreed that the Working Group would meet and review the report on Saturday, June 11, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Caucus Room; or alternatively in the evening of June 9, 2005. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator