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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-06 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6. 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date Chaired by Mr. R. dal Bello, commencing at 4:05 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. J. Kos, B. Lemieux, H. Alsafouti and R. Nandakumar. Councillor B. Vrbanovic was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Mr. G. Meincke. Mr. R. Shaw was also in attendance as an observer. 1. BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN WORKING GROUP - UPDATE Mr. R. Nandakumar and Mr. B. Lemieux, Environmental Committee representatives on the Brownfields Community Improvement Plan Working Group, provided the Committee with a brief update on discussions to date. Mr. Lemieux advised that 3 meetings have been held to date with discussions centering on location of brownfields within the City, existing policies, comparisons with other municipalities and Provincial legislation (Bill 56). He noted that consideration is being directed toward possible incentives for developers to undertake rehabilitation of brownfield sites, as opposed to the City undertaking rehabilitation. Mr. Lemieux advised that definitive action has not yet been determined and the Working Group will not meet again until September. In response to several questions, Mr. Lemieux and Mr. Nandakumar pointed out that it was difficult to compose a definition for brownfields in terms of environment only as other related issues such as financial considerations also have impact; staff are of the opinion that compiling a list of brown field sites is not appropriate as property owners have expressed concerns with devaluation of property and staff prefer development of a definition; a National Roundtable respecting brownfields, spearheaded by Mr. Paul Martin, may be jeopardized by his recent departure as Minister of Finance and may have impact with respect to Federal funding sources. In addition, it was noted that the Provincial definition for brownfields is geared toward a perceived potential impact to property that would threaten health and the environment. Mr. R. dal Bello requested and it was agreed, that further updates be provided at future meetings. 2. REGION OF WATERLOO PRESENTATION MANAGEMENT AND LAND USE TRANSPORTATION DEMAND The Committee was in receipt of an article entitled "Land Use Impact Costs of Transportation" published in Vol. 1, No.4 (1995) issue of The Journal of the World Transport Policy & Practice. Ms. JoAnn Woodhall, Transportation Demand Management Manager, Region of Waterloo, was in attendance to provide an information presentation with respect to a portion of the Region's Transportation Master Plan Study dealing with Transportation Demand Management (TOM) and how focusing on initiatives relative to land use planning will improve air quality in the long term. Highlights of the presentation included a definition of TOM; long term visioning goals; key aspects of land use and transportation planning including density, diversity, design and universal access; cycling and trail networking; and TOM solutions geared toward integrated land use and transportation planning. Ms. Woodhall also provided several related handouts for circulation to members of the Committee. The Committee then entered into a general discussion during which Ms. Woodhall addressed questions respecting consultation and review processes for TOM with municipalities, developers and the Economic Development sector; lobbying for regulatory legislation; outreach education in schools for children, parents and teachers; and the dynamics of commuter challenges as part of a national event undertaken during Environment Week. She challenged members of the Committee to monitor their own automobile trips during the summer months and reduce where feasible. Ms. Woodhall also advised of a public meeting to be held on June 20th at Fairview Park Mall commencing at 6:30 p.m. relative to cycling networks and trail links, and invited members of the Committee to attend. Mr. R. dal Bello thanked Ms. Woodhall for her presentation and then left the meeting. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting and assumed the Chair. 3. STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 6. 2002 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER At its meeting held on Februray 7, 2002 the Committee undertook a Strategic Planning process to bring focus to issues of importance the Committee may wish to consider and, from these, it was proposed to develop a working plan. Following the February 7th meeting, the Committee was circulated with a document outlining results of the Strategic Planning question and answer session and the Committee was in receipt this date of a revised, colour-coded version of this document. Ms. Barb Steiner advised that the issues identified during the initial process were reviewed, categorized and the categories linked with specific visioning statements contained in the City's Compass Kitchener document. The categories derived are as follows: . Public Education and Communication; . Planning Communities and Development; . Air Quality and Public Transportation; . Conserving Natural Areas and Managing Greenspace. Ms. Steiner then facilitated the next step in developing a work plan, taking the Committee through the issues related to Public Education and Communication and Planning Communities and Development, and recording specific actions that the Committee may wish to explore as part of its work plan. Mr. Hussein Alsafouti left the meeting during this discussion. Due to time constraints, the remaining two categories were not addressed. Accordingly, finalization of the work plan will be undertaken at a future meeting. 4. PROPOSED CHANGE TO ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE - CANCELLATION OF JULY 4.2002 MEETING DATE The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report dated May 23, 2002 recommending that the July 4 meeting of the Environmental Committee be cancelled and the option to reschedule be left open to the call of the Co-Chair(s) in the event it is necessary to address urgent matters prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting on September 5, 2002. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that in light of the fact the Committee did not finish discussions relative to the Strategic Plan, a meeting be held on August 8, 2002 to complete this matter. The Committee entered into a general discussion relative to summer meeting dates and it was agreed to cancel the July 4 meeting date. It was also suggested that staff attempt to co-ordinate an additional meeting prior to the end of June for the purpose of completing the Strategic Work Plan. In this regard, the Committee Administrator will undertake to poll members of the Environmental Committee to determine their availability over the next 3 week period and if possible, schedule an additional meeting prior to the end of June. In the event that an additional meeting in June is not feasible, members of the Committee will be requested to consider August 8 or August 15 as an alternate meeting date. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. J. Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator