HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-06ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date, commencing at 4:40 p.m., with the following members
present: Messrs. R. Dal Bello, F. Wende, B. Krafcheck and H. Alsafouti.
Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. B. Stanley, D. Daly and T. Boutilier.
This meeting of the Environmental Committee was conducted without a quorum present.
1. APPOINTMENT – ACTING CHAIR
Ms. J. Billett advised that Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor M. Galloway would not be in
attendance this date and, accordingly, appointment of acting Chair was required.
On motion by Mr. F. Wende –
It was resolved:
“That Mr. Rino Del Bello be appointed acting Chair for the Environmental Committee
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Meeting of September 6, 2001.”
2.BPS 01-104 – REVIEW OF EARTH WEEK 2001
The Committee was in receipt of Business & Planning Services Staff Report BP-01-104 which
provides a review of events organized and implemented for Earth Week 2001, held between April
17 to April 28, 2001.
Mr. T. Boutilier, Co-Chair of the Earth Day 2001 working committee, provided an overhead
presentation highlighting the guiding principles of the program and various community based
environmental projects undertaken, including:
· opening ceremonies held on Tuesday, April. 17 on the Iron Horse Trail at Cherry Street;
· community tree and naturalization projects carried out in 8 different locations throughout the
City’s 6 wards;
· community cleanup campaign including Regional Adopt-a-Road program;
· Ministry of Transportation cleanup of provincial roadways;
· cleanup of the Fairview Park Mall parking area; and participation of 31 schools to cleanup
school yards and other community areas in conjunction with the trees for our future program;
· Community Environmental Fairs undertaken at the Breithaupt Centre, Forest Heights
Community Centre and the Southwest Optimist Park;
· environmental tours conducted by the Region at the Waste Management Recycling Facility
and the Mannheim Water Recharge Facility; and, by City staff in the Huron Natural area.
Mr. Boutilier advised that approximately 4,000 volunteers had participated in the event including a
wide range of service clubs, community associations and business and government sectors. He
advised that in 2002 it is intended to develop formal partnerships with the Region and the GRCA
to allow full use of available resources; target local companies for sponsorship; re-evaluate the
number and size of planting projects; and, provide greater flexibility for community involvement.
Mr. Boutilier noted that planning for the 2002 event will begin earlier with the first meeting planned
to take place this month. He advised that expenses incurred during the 2001 event were in the
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER
amount of approximately $19,000.00 and Council will be approached for funding support in the
amount of $20,000.00 for the 2002 event. He further advised that approximately $20,000.00 had
been spent in 2001 from the community services capital account for plant material and it is hoped
to increase this amount to $25,000.00 for next year’s event.
In response to Mr. R. Dal Bello, Mr. Boutilier advised that funding for next year’s Earth Week Event
will be dealt with during Council’s 2002 budget deliberations.
By general consent, the Committee agreed to refer the following recommendation to the Planning
& Economic Development Committee for consideration at its meeting to be held on Monday,
September 10, 2001, namely:
“That the following recommendation contained in the Staff Report BPS-01-104 be
referred
for
to the September 10, 2001 Planning & Economic Development Committee Meeting
consideration:
‘That City of Kitchener staff be directed to develop a community based program of events,
activities and tours for Earth Week 2002 in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and the
Grand River Conservation Authority.’”
3.PRESENTATION – RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT (R.E.E.P.)
The Committee was in receipt of the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (R.E.E.P.) summary
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dated April 1999 – March 2001. In addition, a copy of the July 3 Council Minutes had been
provided outlining a presentation made by Dr. Paul Parker and Brad Blain, University of Waterloo,
to City Council. Their presentation highlighted aspects of Phase 1 of the R.E.E.P. project including
environmental, economic and community benefits achieved.
Dr. P. Parker and Mr. D. Eaton were in attendance to request support for Phase 2 of the project
through continued partnership with the City and for financial contribution in the amount of
$20,000.00. Dr. Parker advised that total funding for the project is estimated at $300,000.00
proposed to be achieved through federal, local and in kind grant programs and the City’s financial
commitment is expected to enhance opportunity for funding at the federal level. A brief overview
of planned initiatives for Phase 2 of the project was provided, including:
· compiling a list of local contractors and checklist of quality indicators;
· provision of a rating label for display on blue boxes and a letter from the Mayor extending
appreciation to the homeowner for their participation;
· increase communication with neighbourhood associations, visit local schools and publish
“Home of the Month” profiles.
Dr. Parker suggested that the community will benefit as a result of the project through creation of
new jobs, more housing, increasing the local tax base and provision of a local action plan to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to a question from Mr. Alsafouti, Mr. Eaton advised that trained certified evaluators
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER
attend the home and conduct an air tightness test to determine where heat loss is occurring and
identify steps that can be taken to improve energy efficiency. He further pointed out that another
group mentioned by Mr. Alsafouti operates differently than R.E.E.P. and is primarily an
educational organization working with ethnical cultural groups. Dr. Parker pointed out that homes
assessed under the R.E.E.P. project receive a written evaluation and advice on how to improve
energy efficiency in the home, together with potential cost savings.
In response to Mr. Wende, Dr. Parker advised that contributions are being sought from the City’s
of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Cambridge North Dumfries
Utilities, as well as from federal funding. Dr. Parker also clarified in response to Mr. B. Stanley,
that the contribution from the City was intended to be over a two year period and future phases of
the project would depend upon the success of Phase 2 and direction from the Board of Directors of
the University of Waterloo.
Mr. R. Dal Bello requested sample evaluation reports be provided and Dr. Parker agreed to send
samples to the committee administrator for distribution to committee members.
On motion by Mr. F. Wende –
It was resolved:
“That Council be advised the Environmental Committee endorses continued support of the
Residential Energy Efficiency Project (R.E.E.P.) Phase 2, as well as funding support up to a
maximum of $20,000.00 over a two year period (2003).”
4.INFORMATION ITEMS
The Committee was in receipt of the following information items:
· Report of Council/staff working group – review of Advisory Standing Committees;
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· Minutes of August 14 Finance and Advisory Committee meeting; recommendation to be
considered by Council on Monday, August 27, 2001;
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· June 19 Minutes of R.E.E.P. Advisory Board;
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· July 19 AMO Member Communication - Pesticides: Summary of Supreme Court Decision;
· Newspaper article – Trees for Our Future Program.
5. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
J. Billett, AMCT
Committee Administrator