HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-18ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 1$, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:14 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair
Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. R. Dingman, B. McColl,
M. Peterson, C. Schneider and F. G. Zador
Staff: A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
M. Petricevic, Manager of Project & Energy Management
E. Saunderson, Design & Construction Project Manager
C. Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor
S. Bassanese, Environmental Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. PRESENTATION - PROPOSED GAS TAX RE-ALLOCATION
- ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE CACTI)
The Committee considered correspondence from Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka, dated October 1, 2007
proposing that the City allocate a portion of its Environmentally Sustainable Municipal
Infrastructure funds (ESMI), commonly referred to as Gas Tax funds, toward environmentally-
friendly methods of transportation.
Ms. M. A. Wasilka addressed the Committee and circulated a revised Gas Tax Re-allocation
proposal, dated October 18, 2007 requesting that approximately $20,000., be allocated to
facilitate the development of a report containing a prioritized list of recommendations, suggested
by local stakeholders, regarding the use of ESMI funds toward Active Transportation
Infrastructure (ACTT). She advised that these stakeholders would include Wilfrid Laurier
University (WLU) students and faculty, as well as representatives from the People's Car Co-op,
the Waterloo Region Concerned Cyclists and citizens who use ACTT as their primary mode of
transportation. She stated that the collaboration would be fostered by asking the stakeholders
how they would prefer to see approximately $1 M of ESMI funding re-allocated toward ACTT. She
added that once the report is completed, the City could annually allocate a fixed portion of ESMI
funding toward the recommendations put forward by the stakeholders' report.
In response to questions, Ms. M. A. Wasilka advised that since presenting her original request at
the September 20, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting, she forwarded a list of
approximately 20 potential stakeholders to City staff. She suggested that if approved, the City
release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the facilitator position who would undertake the
collaboration of the stakeholder recommendations. She added that it has been her experience
that persons who use ACTT as their primary mode of transportation do not typically have the time
to independently develop the type of report she has envisioned, which is why a facilitator is
needed to collaborate their suggestions.
Messrs. S. Bassanese and A. Pinard advised that the City's Transportation Planning Division are
currently drafting Terms of Reference for a consultant position to develop a detailed
implementation plan for a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program. The intent is to
have this plan completed by early 2008 and have a TDM coordinator in place by the Spring of
2008. It was noted that the components of the TDM Program will include updating the Cycling
Master Plan and the development of a Municipal Transportation Master Plan that would help to
define a more appropriate division between automobile traffic and other modes of transportation.
Several members expressed support for the tenets of Ms. Wasilka's proposal and noted the
importance of providing support to promote and expand the use of environmentally-friendly
modes of transportation. Councillor B. Vrbanovic proposed, and it was agreed, that Ms.
Wasilka's revised proposal be referred to Transportation Planning staff who would be asked to
report back to a future Committee meeting regarding: the aspects of the proposal that are
currently, or will be, undertaken as part of the TDM Program; the aspects of the proposal not
being pursued; and, an indication as to which of those aspects could be feasibly undertaken by
the City. In addition, it was requested that the list of stakeholders forwarded to staff by Ms.
Wasilka also be circulated to the members.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 1$, 2007 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER
1. PRESENTATION - PROPOSED GAS TAX RE-ALLOCATION
- ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE tACTp tCONT'D)
On motion by Mr. C. Schneider -
it was resolved:
"That the revised proposal submitted by Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka, dated October 18, 2007,
be accepted as received and referred to Transportation Planning staff to report back to a
future Committee meeting with information related to: the aspects of the proposal that are
currently, or will be, undertaken as part of the TDM Program; the aspects of the proposal
not being pursued; and, an indication as to which of those aspects could be feasibly
undertaken by the City."
2. PRESENTATION - AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN: BEST BETS FOR 20071NTERIM
UPDATE
The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from various members of staff
providing updates as to the status /actions undertaken to date to implement the Air Quality in
Kitchener (2006) report, 5 Best Bets for 2007.
Mr. S. Bassanese advised that on May 28, 2007 Council approved the following 5 Best Bets for
2007 and associated sub-action items, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report
CRPS-07-072:
• Best Bet #1 -support compact urban development;
• Best Bet #2 -seek continuous improvement from ICI (Industrial /Commercial /
Institutional) point sources by developing a tiered approach that
includes incentives and flexible regulatory approaches;
• Best Bet #3 -facilitate Modal Shift to Bicycle Transportation:
• Best Bet #4 -enhance Green Space Management; and,
• Best Bet #5 -incentives for Energy Efficient Development.
Mr. S. Bassanese then reviewed the circulated correspondence, stating that staff were directed to
investigate the feasibility and, if appropriate, pursue the implementation of the 5 Best Bets for
2007 and associated sub-action items. During his review, Mr. Bassanese noted that he has yet
to receive updates regarding Best Bet #2 (E) to (G) and Best Bet #4 (B).
In response to questions regarding Best Bet #1, Mr. S. Bassanese advised that in April 2007,
Council approved a Comprehensive Design Brief for Suburban Development, which introduced
new guidelines and approaches for greenfield development in order to implement 9 key
objectives that include compact development that is walkable and transit supportive. He added
that the guidelines set out in the Brief are not static and can be changed /amended as needed.
In reference to Best Bet #2 (B) and (C), Mr. M. Petricevic advised that staff anticipate presenting
a report to Council in late November /early December 2007 recommending that all newly
constructed City-owned buildings over 500 square metres be designed, constructed, and certified
to a minimum standard of LEED `Silver'. He added that the report will also include a
recommendation that the City implement sustainable design and construction standards for retro-
fit and renovation projects, as well as specific energy-reduction targets.
In response to the initiatives being undertaken in relation to Best Bet #3, several members
expressed concerns regarding the 3-year timeframe for the full implementation of the
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, which includes updating the Cycling
Master Plan. Ms. N. Souders inquired into whether it would be possible to have the Cycling
Master Plan update given priority status to allow for its completion prior to 2010. Mr. A. Pinard
advised that it is the goal of the TDM Program to integrate, and be applicable to, all modes of
transportation, including cycling. As such, the Cycling Master Plan update is inter-connected to
the overall development of the TDM Program.
In addition, several members expressed concerns related to the timeframe of when the selection
process for the annual Best Bets is initiated by the Committee, and it was put forward that it might
be preferable to have the selection process start annually in January /February, as opposed to
April /May.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 1$, 2007 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CAO-07-047 - KING STREET MASTER PLAN
- URBAN GREEN STREET DESIGN
The Committee considered Chief Administrative Officer report CAO-07-047, dated October 1,
2007 regarding the incorporation of liveable and sustainable design features as part of the
streetscape enhancement planned for King Street (between Frederick / Benton Street and
Francis Street) and Speaker's Corner.
Mr. C. Bluhm advised that the enhancements would include design elements to better enable
residents to live a more sustainable lifestyle; such as, new bicycle racks, new transit stops and
improved transit shelters to encourage transit use. He added that the final plans could include
the following design elements, which support a more sustainable streetscape:
• more than 60 additional new street trees, to improve air quality, absorb heat and improve
microclimate;
• the use of a continuous soil trench system, and / or structural soil, to promote good tree
growth ;
• planter beds that can collect and filter contaminants from stormwater and recharge the
ground water;
• permeable sidewalks that allow infiltration of stormwater to tree roots;
• the use of recycled materials during construction (ex: street furnishings, asphalt, etc.);
• best management practices for energy conservation;
• using solar powered technology where possible (ex: tree lights, bollard lights); and,
• introducing landscaping where possible (ex: growing vines up banner poles, hanging pots,
portable planters, etc.).
In response to questions, Mr. C. Bluhm added that flex parking will be employed so that during
the summer months parking areas can be blocked and used by pedestrians. He stated that the
planter beds will be designed so that they can be flushed each spring to be cleared of road salt,
which he noted, should enhance the sustainability of their plant material. He added that the final
plans of the King Street redesign call for a minimum 6 foot wide pathway along this portion of
King Street. Mr. Bluhm further advised that staff have lobbied the Region of Waterloo to locate its
proposed light rail transit system along Charles Street as opposed to on King Street. He noted
that the redesign will occur in 2 block sections per year, over a 3-year timeframe.
On motion by Mr. R. Dingman -
it was resolved:
"That the Environmental Committee support the incorporation of liveable and sustainable
design features as part of the streetscape enhancement planned for King Street (between
Frederick / Benton Street and Francis Street) and Speaker's Corner."
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WORKSHOPS - REQUEST FOR
VOLUNTEERS
Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the first workshop has been scheduled for December 1,
2007 and will be a public consultation session related to updating the Strategic Plan for the
Environment. He stated that it is proposed to have that day commence with a keynote speaker
and 2 break-out sessions in the morning, followed by 2 additional break-out sessions in the
afternoon. He noted that expert panels are intended to facilitate each break-out session.
Councillor Vrbanovic further advised that the second workshop has been scheduled for
December 11, 2007 and will be completely dedicated to the Local Environmental Action Fund
(LEAF). He noted that Information Technology staff are currently examining means of taping and
posting each session on the City's website. Mr. S. Bassanese added that at the November 15,
2007 Environmental Committee meeting members will be requested to volunteer to assist in the
facilitation of each workshop.
5. DTS-07-162 - 2007 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
PROGRESS REPORT
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-
07-162, dated October 4, 2007, which provides an update as to the status of the 2007
Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program (CEIGP) projects.
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5. DTS-07-162 - 2007 COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
PROGRESS REPORT tCONT'D)
Mr. S. Bassanese advised that in 2007, $5,500. of CEIGP funding was awarded among 6
applicant organizations with direction given to have the remaining funds used toward advertising /
attracting 2008 CEIGP applications. He noted that it is anticipated that the 2008 CEIGP
applications will be brought forward for consideration at the November 15, 2007 Environmental
Committee meeting.
6. CITY OF WATERLOO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REQUEST
Ms. N. Souders advised that the members of the City of Waterloo Environmental Advisory
Committee have expressed an interest in attending a future meeting of this Committee.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that he would contact his counterpart at the City of Waterloo
regarding the possibility of a joint meeting between the two Committees.
7. 2007 ONTARIO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SYMPOSIUM
Ms. Y. Fernandes provided an update of the 2007 Ontario Environmental Advisory Committee
Symposium and advised that representatives from over 22 environmental advisory committees
from across Ontario were in attendance. She noted that the Symposium provided a great
opportunity to interact with members from other committees.
8. NOTICE OF MOTION - DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN
Mr. B. McColl gave notice that he would introduce the following Motion regarding the Doon South
Community Plan at the November 15, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting:
"That under no circumstances any development occur within 150 metres of the Jefferson
Salamander habitat /breeding ground in Phase II of the Doon South Community Plan."
9. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator