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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-18ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 1$, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mayor C. Zehr -Acting Chair Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. B. McColl, R. Dingman, M. Peterson, R. Rehan, M. Robinson, C. Schneider and F. George Zador. Staff: T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning D. Miller, Director of Fleet A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning K. Carmichael, Supervisor of Transportation Planning R. Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards B. Steiner, Environmental Planner S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner P. Wetherup, Parks Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator Prior to commencement all members were circulated Committee binders, containing information on: staff resources; Committee structure, mandate and reporting; Terms of Reference and guidelines for meetings and delegations; `Advisory Committee -Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships' presentation; the City's Strategic Plan for the Environment; and, Air Quality in Kitchener Plan 2006. Space has also been allotted within the binders for inclusion of all future agendas and minutes. Members were requested to bring their Committee binders to all future meetings as it contains useful reference material. 1. WELCOME AND COMMITTEE MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS Mayor C. Zehr welcomed all members to the first meeting of the newly-appointed Environmental Committee. He then reviewed correspondence circulated this date from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, providing a brief synopsis of past work undertaken by this Committee and the major initiatives to be pursued in the coming term. The members and staff in attendance then introduced themselves. 2. RESCHEDULING OF FEBRUARY 2007 COMMITTEE MEETING At the request of Mayor C. Zehr, on behalf of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, it was agreed to reschedule the February 15, 2007 Committee meeting to February 22, 2007. The Committee further agreed that in terms of the development of a work plan, they would be amenable to staying longer than the usual two hours allocated for Committee meetings. 3. DEFERRAL OF ITEMS TO FEBRUARY 22, 2007 COMMITTEE MEETING At the request of Mayor C. Zehr, on behalf of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, it was agreed to defer and refer the following agenda items to the February 22, 2007 Committee meeting: 3. Election of Co-Chair; 4. Kitchener's Natural Areas Program - Appointment of Environmental Committee Representative; and, 6. Air Quality in Kitchener Plan -Appointments to Air Quality Working Group. Mayor C. Zehr noted that only the portion of Item 6, Appointments to Air Quality Working Group, would be deferred and referred to February 22, 2007; and that the second portion, Implementation of 2006 Best Bets Update, would still be considered this date. 4. WATERLOO REGION CONCERNED CYCLISTS -CYCLING AND BICYCLE PARKING INITIATIVES The Committee was in receipt this date of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-014, dated January 12, 2007 regarding the possible implementation of various cycling and bicycle parking initiatives put forward by the Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists at the October 19, 2006 Environmental Committee meeting. Mr. J. McBride advised that the inclusion of bicycle parking facilities in both existing and new ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 1$, 2007 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. WATERLOO REGION CONCERNED CYCLISTS -CYCLING AND BICYCLE PARKING INITIATIVES tCONT'D) developments are an important component of the City's overall transportation network. He stated that the cost of road and parking infrastructure, as well as capital and operating vehicle costs, have started to shift the awareness of transportation alternatives away from the automobile toward other modes of transportation, including cycling. He then highlighted the following initiatives that have been undertaken and are planned for the immediate future, as outlined in report DTS-07-014: • Most community centres and swimming pools have bicycle racks and additional racks can be added on an as-needed basis. In addition, $20,000. has been included in the 2007 Capital Budget (subject to Council approval) for the provision of additional bicycle racks in City parking facilities throughout the Downtown core; • Bicycle traffic will now be counted separately in City manual traffic counts; • Bicycle racks are already required as a component of all new site development projects requiring site plan approval. Further, attached to report DTS-07-014 is a copy of the proposed Urban Design Standard for Cycling Facilities, which outlines the requirements for bicycle parking spaces; • Additional bicycle parking will be incorporated along King Street West as part of its streetscape design as well as in Downtown surface parking lots. Staff are requesting the cycling community's assistance in identifying opportunities for additional bicycle parking locations; • Directional signage will be considered if an opportunity for a significant number of bicycle parking spaces can be developed; and, • Cycling has been included as an alternative mode of transportation in both City and Regional Transportation Master Plans, Transportation Demand Management programs and Cycling Master Plans. While these studies tend to be more route or corridor oriented, the provision of bicycle parking will be acknowledged and considered as part of the overall needs. In response to questions, Mr. J. McBride advised that most City facilities provide some form of bicycle parking, the only exception being hockey areas; which is due to their use primarily occurring during the cycling off-season. He stated that bicycle lanes would be installed in the Downtown wherever possible. He noted that staff would also pursue the installation of directional signage identifying the locations of the various city trails. Ms. Dorte Koster, Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists, spoke in support of the initiatives and inquired into the methods that should be used to communicate cycling /bicycle parking issues to staff. Mr. J. McBride advised that in the past staff have typically relied on the public to inform them of cycling /bicycle parking issues, adding that any future concerns arising from her group can be forwarded to him directly. Ms. Cheryl Lousley, Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists, inquired into the possibility of requiring existing facilities, such as shopping malls, to install bicycle parking and also as to whether a report could be produced identifying all of the facilities throughout the City that provide bicycle parking. Mr. J. McBride advised that the City does not have the jurisdiction to force private businesses to install bicycle parking, adding that he will request Community Services Department staff to do an inventory of the bicycle parking available at each City facility. Mayor C. Zehr requested that the Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists representatives submit their requests in writing to Mr. J. McBride. 5. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION -ADVISORY COMMITTEES Mr. T. Speck gave a presentation on the roles, responsibilities and relationships of advisory committees within the Corporate structure, as included in the Committee binders. Areas covered included: committee direction; purpose; responsibilities; reporting relationships; relationship with ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 1$, 2007 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION -ADVISORY COMMITTEES tCONT'D) Council; Kitchener's Healthy Community Plan (HCP); and the future of advisory committees. Members were advised that Council endorsed the HCP in 2006 which outlines six areas of focus for the City of Kitchener during the next four years, these being: quality of life; leadership and community engagement; diversity; development; dynamic Downtown; and, environment. It was pointed out that advisory committees and their members will be involved in reviewing this document and provide input which may or may not alter the focus and/or structure of some advisory committees in the coming years. In response to questions, Mr. T. Speck advised that in most instances it is the Council Co- Chair`s role to address the media. He reminded the members that if they are speaking to the media they need to identify that they are not speaking on behalf of the Committee, but as an individual. 6. 2007 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SYMPOSIUM Mr. S. Bassanese advised that since the Fall 2006 Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium in Kingston, Ontario, a number of local area Environmental Advisory Committees have been working toward hosting the 2007 Symposium. He then requested a volunteer to act as Kitchener's representative to the 2007 Symposium Organizing Committee. He stated that the Kitchener representative would be responsible for organizing venues and assisting in arranging speakers. He added that the 2007 Symposium is planned to be held in conjunction with the Grand River Conservation Authority Water Forum scheduled for September 15 to 16, 2007. In terms of time commitment, Mr. Bassanese advised that the Kitchener representative would be required to attend one meeting a month, noting that the next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on February 5, 2007 at the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Administration Building located at 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener. Mr. C. Schneider volunteered to be the Committee's representative, subject to receiving additional information regarding anticipated duties and time commitment. 7. COMMITTEE ORIENTATION - STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT REVIEW - MEETING OF COMPASS KITCHENER WITH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Ms. B. Steiner led the Committee in a review of the Strategic Plan for the Environment as contained in the Committee binders. She advised that the Strategic Plan for the Environment, adopted in 1992, has long served as a guidance document for identifying, prioritizing, budgeting and monitoring environmental initiatives across all departments. She stated that the Strategic Plan is used by Council, administration and the Environmental Committee to improve the environmental practices of City staff, municipal programs and services. She added that the Plan is meant to be a living document, serving to monitor the City's progress on identified issues and to address new or potential concerns. She pointed out that issues such as, air quality and pesticide reduction, were not as prevalent in the early 1990s as they are today. Consequently, the Strategic Plan for the Environment needs to be updated to address these issues. Ms. Steiner noted that public consultations will be ongoing throughout 2007 and staff anticipates having a new Plan in place by the end of this year. In response to questions, Ms. B. Steiner advised that it is anticipated that the Environmental Committee will play an active role in updating the Strategic Plan for the Environment. She noted that to facilitate this, she will be providing regular updates to the Committee. 8. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -IMPLEMENTATION OF 2006 BEST BETS UPDATE The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Ms. Tammy Gerber, Kitchener Utilities, dated January 18, 2007 concerning various Kitchener Utilities and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro energy conservation programs, which are in line with the tenets of the 2006 Air Quality in Kitchener Plan Best Bets #2 and #5. Ms. B. Steiner advised that pursuant to a request made at the October 19, 2006 Environmental Committee meeting, the staff responsible for implementing the 2006 Air Quality in Kitchener Plan Best Bets are in attendance to provide an update. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 1$. 2007 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER 8. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN -IMPLEMENTATION OF 2006 BEST BETS UPDATE tCONT'D) Mr. D. Miller advised that in 2006 he met with the Air Quality Working Group regarding the possible implementation of ISO 14001 for the Fleet Division. He stated that since that time, staff has requested that funding be included in Council's 2007 Capital Budget toward their pursuit of ISO 14001 Certification. Mayor C. Zehr noted that this initiative was discussed at the January 2007 Capital Budget deliberations and has been forwarded for consideration to April 16, 2007 Budget Day. Mr. K. Carmichael advised that the `No Idling' advisory signs are currently being installed at drop off/pick up areas at all City schools, and City facilities. He stated that the signs remind motorists to turn their engines off if they are going to idle their vehicles for longer than 10 seconds. He added that it is anticipated that approximately 300 signs will be installed throughout the City. Mr. R. Schirm advised that he has been working closely with the local area schools to establish set drop off/pick up zones and noted that an official launch of this program is anticipated for February 2007. He added that educational material has been distributed to the students of these schools and the City's Enforcement Officers have increased the number of times they visit each school. Mr. Schirm stated that their goal is to make it less attractive for parents to drive their children to school and thereby encourage students to walk to school. He added that staff has been pro-active in having additional crossing guards in place as a means of encouraging children to walk to school and to this have requested that $80,000. be set aside in the 2007 Capital Budget for the development of additional trail crossings. In response to questions, Mr. D. Miller advised that he has made presentations to every work group in his Division with regards to the Fleet Idling Control Policy. He added that the City's Fire Service are interested in installing a vehicle monitoring program similar to that currently employed by Fleet. Mr. R. Schirm advised that all new school sites are being designed to reduce the amount of tarmac and increase the amount of land used for playgrounds and green space. Ms. B. Steiner suggested that the Air Quality Working Group could meet with representatives of the local school boards and review the 2006 Air Quality in Kitchener Plan Best Bets as a further means of fulfilling Best Bet #4, reach out to school boards. Ms. B. Steiner advised that regarding Best Bet #3, increase green space, staff intend to present a report to Council requesting the maximum parkland conveyance for industrial and institutional developments. Concerning Best Bet #5, promote residential energy conservation, in addition to its continued support of the Residential Energy Efficiency Program, the City is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency Design) Certification for a number of new facilities. Mayor C. Zehr advised that pre-budget approval was granted for the new Community Arena /Twin Pad, which is anticipated to obtain LEED Gold Certification. He noted that this facility is potentially the first LEED Gold recreational facility in Canada. Mayor Zehr added that staff were also directed to examine the feasibility of establishing an Environmental Fund with a base capital between $3 M to $5 M and report back prior to final budget deliberations on April 16, 2007. He commented that this Fund could potentially be used to implement further initiatives that meet the tenets of the Air Quality in Kitchener Plan Best Bets. 9. REGION OF WATERLOO NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT -RIVER ROAD EXTENSION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHASES 3 - 4 Ms. B. Steiner advised that typically Phases 3 and 4 of Class Environmental Assessments do not involve the public; however, given the issues related to the River Road Extension the Region of Waterloo has agreed to further involve the public in this process. She noted that the Region is also examining additional alternative designs for parts of the proposed extension. 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator