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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-21ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair Ms. J. Young, Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. B. McColl, R. Dingman and C. Schneider. Staff: S. Adams, Director of Community Programs B. Steiner, Environmental Planner J. Walter, Corporate Project Assistant C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. PRESENTATION - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT (REEP) - ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2006 AND 2007 GRANT FUNDING REQUEST The Committee was in receipt of the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) Annual report, dated August 2006 regarding a review of the results achieved by REEP in 2006 and their goals for 2007. Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Manager of REEP, advised that in early 2006 REEP became the newly-incorporated Waterloo Region Green Solutions (WRGS), a community-based environmental non-profit organization. After 7 years as a University of Waterloo and the Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence project, REEP has become its own "green community", and is now a full member of Green Communities Canada. She stated that while continuing their research partnerships with the University of Waterloo, REEP, now under the auspices of WRGS, has an opportunity to bring the resources of a broader network of green communities to Waterloo Region. She added that in spite of the cancellation of federal support, REEP's EnerGuide for Houses numbers were remarkably strong for this year as compared to last. She pointed out that they have already surpassed their promised targets of 145 follow-up evaluations, 363 tonnes of CO2 reductions, and $72,500. in pre-committed federal grants to Kitchener residents. Ms. Patterson then outlined that in 2006-2007 WRGS/REEP will be expanding to include the following new services: • Greening Sacred Spaces: whereby they will be evaluating the energy efficiency of churches and similar sized buildings; • Provincial Low-Income Program for Electrically-Heated Homes: whereby they will provide free energy evaluations and energy-saving measures for low income families in electrically-heated homes. No investment is required on the part of the participants and up to $214,900. in provincial funding will come to Waterloo Region through this program, in the form of energy conservation measures for low income families; and, • Solar Assessment: this service evaluates a home's potential for solar water heating, solar pool heating, and solar electricity, and provides a report to the homeowner summarizing the results. Ms. Patterson outlined that WRGS/REEP is requesting a grant of $25,000., which would represent the City of Kitchener's contribution to their 2007 budget. She noted that Kitchener's support is vital to their continued operation and serves to leverage funding from other municipalities, utilities, as well as the Province. In response to questions, Ms. M.J. Patterson advised that WRGS/REEP will use the definition given by other social agencies to define what constitutes a low income home. She stated that the requested increase over the City's 2006 contribution of $20,000., is resultant to their expansion of services to the community. On motion by Mr. C. Schneider- it was resolved: "That subject to consideration during the 2007 budget deliberations, $25,000. be allocated to the Waterloo Region Green Solutions (formerly known as the Residential Energy Efficiency Project, REEP), as part of the Environmental Committee's 2007 operating budget." ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21.2006 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PRESENTATION -FIRST STEPS TOWARDS A HEALTHY COMMUNITY PLAN The Committee was in receipt of the draft Strategic Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (2007-2027), dated September 1, 2006 which has been circulated for the Committee's review and comments. Ms. S. Adams advised that the draft Strategic Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (2007-2027) combines the work of two groups; Compass Kitchener and the Healthy Community Working Group "Who Are You Kitchener", carried out over the last 18 months. These processes engaged citizens in confirming a vision of the City and in identifying priority areas in achieving that vision while at the same time reviewing the work currently underway and/or planned for the future. She stated that it became apparent that the work of these two groups was synergistic; therefore, both works were refined into one document reflecting current and new priorities and identifying strategic directions for action. Ms. Adams then reviewed the Plan's recommendations and strategic directions covering the following areas: • quality of life; • leadership and community engagement; • diversity; • downtown; • development; and, • environment. Following Ms. S. Adams' summary, members were requested to respond to several questions posed by Compass Kitchener regarding the draft Plan and its contents. Some members expressed concern with the Plan's 20 year timeframe and suggested that it may be more beneficial to examine these issues in 10 year increments. Further comments included a concern with the term "thoughtful and careful" and it was suggested that this statement be replaced with the phrase "people focus". Additional concerns were raised regarding the Plan's language in that it seems to be open to various interpretations. Some members suggested that to alleviate this problem the Plan should be more definitive in its use of language and provide specific detail as to the actions it is recommending. Ms. S. Adams pointed out that environmental issues finished second only to quality of life as issues the public indicated as being most important to them. She then agreed to forward to the Committee the responses they received from the public regarding environmental issues. She stated that she will be working with staff to ensure that the Plan corresponds with the Air Quality in Kitchener Plan. She outlined that the Strategic Plan for a Healthy Kitchener is intended to be a value document to be used by Council at the start of their term as an aide in developing the priorities set-out in their Shared Agenda. She added that the Plan is a living document which Compass Kitchener will continue to update and refine so that it may be used as a guide by future Councils. 3. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN - 2006 BEST BETS AND NEXT STEPS Ms. B. Steiner provided an update regarding the implementation of the Air Quality in Kitchener Plan - 2006 Best Bets. She stated that the Fleet Division is pursuing ISO certification and held several meetings over the summer concerning that undertaking. She added that the ISO reporting requirements may also influence other departments to improve their own record keeping and consequently they might be more amiable to pursuing their own ISO certification. She noted that staff are currently working to ensure that the City receives its 2% allotment of green space for all new developments. She then requested that the members provide further details as to how the City should pursue reaching out to the local School Boards as a means of improving air quality. Ms. N. Souders advised that the City and the School Boards could encourage a more wide- spread use of school sports field by minor sport associations and was advised that field quality requirements may hinder the use of some locations. Ms. B. Steiner stated that she will forward this suggestion on to the Community Services Department staff person responsible for overseeing minor sports activities. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that the Air Quality in Kitchener Plan be added as a recurring update item on all future Environmental Committee agendas. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 - 2$ - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT -UPDATE Ms. B. Steiner advised that the one year secondment of a Community Services Department staff person to assist with environmental planning issues will commence as of October 2, 2006. 5. COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM REMINDER Ms. B. Steiner advised that due to the up-coming Municipal Election the Committee will not be meeting in November 2006, which in turn a skews the timetable for reviewing the 2007 Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program (CEIGP) applications. She stated that consequently she has requested permission to hold the 2006 CEIGP funding over to January 2007 so that the Committee may review the applications at that time. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that staff investigate the possibility of holding a special meeting of the Environmental Committee in November 2006 as a precautionary measure in the event approval is not granted to carry the funding forward to January 2007. 6. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT OPEN HOUSE -REQUEST FOR A COMMITTEE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE Ms. B. Steiner advised that an Informational Open House will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2006 in the City Hall Rotunda where interested applicants will be given an opportunity to speak with staff and members involved with the City's various advisory committees and boards. Ms. Y. Fernandes and Ms. J. Young volunteered to represent the Environmental Committee at the Informational Open House. 7. PROPOSED CHANGE TO COMMITTEE COMPOSITION The Committee was in receipt this date of Council Policies I-63 (Boards and Committees) and 1- 100 (Environmental Committee -Terms of Reference), dated May 27, 2002 which were circulated resultant to a proposed change to the Environmental Committee's composition. Mr. B. McColl advised that in his opinion environmental matters transcend municipal boarders and suggested that the Environmental Committee's composition be expanded to include 2 to 3 Regional representative positions. He stated that these representatives would reside in the other local area municipalities and could serve as a liaison to those communities. Mr. C. Goodeve advised that such positions would need to be advertised for and open to all residents across the Region, which could potentially create animosity with other area municipalities who are drawing upon the same volunteer pool for members of their advisory committees. Mr. Goodeve added that this Committee has no jurisdiction over matters occurring in other municipalities and suggested that it may be preferable to have members from Kitchener's Environmental Committee appointed to the Region of Waterloo's Environmental Committee who are vested with the necessary jurisdictional authority. Ms. Y. Fernandes expressed concern with the amount of time serving on 2 Committees would present and noted that it may act as a deterrent to future applicants to the Environmental Committee. Mr. C. Schneider stated that he does not approve of having people from other local area municipalities appointed to this Committee as they may not have the same level of interest in Kitchener's environmental concerns. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that Council is capable of granting exemptions to permit members to serve on advisory committees who are in non-compliance with the residency aspects of Council Policy I-63. He suggested that any current member who finds themselves in non-compliance with I-63 to fill out an application form and request an exemption. 8. REGION OF WATERLOO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE tEEAC) -ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES SYMPOSIUM The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Mr. G. Keith Warriner, Chair of the Region of Waterloo Environmental and Ecological Advisory Committee (EEAC), dated September 11, 2006 regarding a proposal to co-host the 2007 Provincial Environmental Advisory Committees Symposium. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER 8. REGION OF WATERLOO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE tEEAC) -ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES SYMPOSIUM tCONT'D) The Committee expressed support for potentially co-hosting a future Provincial Environmental Symposium, but noted that they would need further information regarding their role and responsibilities. Staff were directed to investigate the possibility of having a representative of EEAC attend a future Environmental Committee meeting to formally present their proposal. 9. REGION OF WATERLOO AIR QUALITY FORUM Ms. N. Souders inquired into the status of the Regional Air Quality Forum and was advised that planning for the Forum is currently underway and members will receive notification in the near future as to the Forum's date and time. 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator