HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-21ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 21, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER
The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:11 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, Q. Ludin and F. G. Zador.
Staff: R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services
M. Petricevic, Manager of Project & Energy Management
A. Pinard, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning
B. Steiner, Environmental Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. PRESENTATION -SOUTH STRASBURG CREEK SANITARY TRUNK SEWER CLASS
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The Committee was in receipt of the South Strasburg Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer Class
Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, dated February 2008 regarding the provision of
gravity trunk sewer servicing for the future development of lands in south-west Kitchener.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that, at the request of the registered delegation, consideration of
this matter has been deferred to the March 20, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting.
Mr. B. McColl requested that Appendixes A and B of the South Strasburg Creek Sanitary Trunk
Sewer Class Environmental Assessment be circulated prior to the March 20, 2008 Environmental
Committee meeting.
2. CRPS-0$-014 -IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN BUILDING DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCTION
STANDARDS
- 2007 AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER BEST BETS 2tB) AND 2tC)
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-08-014, dated January
17, 2008 concerning implementation of green building design and construction standards for new
City built and owned facilities, as well as retrofit and renovation projects.
Mr. M. Petricevic advised that this report was developed in response to Best Bets 2(b) and 2(c),
which speak directly to investigating the implementation of LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) principles in design and construction of new City facilities and retrofitting
existing buildings. He stated that staff are recommending implementation of a minimum LEEDT
Silver standard for new City buildings greater than 500m2 gross floor area which will require an
incremental budget allocation of 5% to cover costs associated with this program. He added that
the return benefits to be realized are more energy efficient buildings, reduced environmental
impact, better indoor environments and lower operating costs.
In response to questions, Mr. M. Petricevic advised that the integrated design process uses a
multi-disciplinary team of building professionals who work together from pre-design through post-
occupancy phases to optimize the building's environmental sustainability and performance while
minimizing cost. He stated that by using an integrated approach, buildings are developed
through a process which promotes input and communication from all building disciplines
beginning at the earliest phase of design. He added that for successful implementation of
LEEDTM design, it is critical that the design team act, think and function in a fully integrated
manner. He noted that in order for this to occur, a LEEDTM accredited professional must sit on
the design team and guide the project team through the integrated design process from the onset
of the project. He advised that staff are to receive training in LEEDTM principles through various
workshops currently being offered by the Canadian Green Buildin~ Council (CaGBC), noting that
the goal is to have a number of the City's project managers LEED M accredited over the next two
years. He then spoke in favour of setting minimum standards, as it demonstrates leadership and
is consistent with Council's objectives toward reducing environmental impacts; as well as the
importance of obtaining LEEDTM certification to ensure the level of standard is fully achieved and
documented. Mr. Petricevic advised that staff would have no concerns with moving to a higher
standard level; however, a move in this direction would have additional budget implications. He
added that staff are recommending LEEDTM Silver as it meets with the City's energy targets,
addresses environmental concerns and is considered a reasonable increase in budget. He
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 21, 200$ - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. CRPS-0$-014 -IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN BUILDING DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCTION
STANDARDS
- 2007 AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER BEST BETS 2tB) AND 2tC) tCONT'D)
stated that a move to LEEDTM Gold standard would require a budget allocation increase of
approximately 8%, which may fluctuate based on the size of individual projects. He pointed out
that the recommendation contained in Report CRPS-08-014 provides that a higher standard may
be investigated on a case-by-case basis and it would then be Council's decision whether to
pursue LEEDTM Silver or Gold. He added that what staff are proposing is consistent with the
approach being taken by a number of Canadian municipalities.
Following a brief discussion, several members expressed a desire to have the minimum
sustainable design, construction, and certification standard increased from LEEDTM Silver to
LEEDTM Gold. The Committee generally agreed that the City should play a key leadership and
stewardship role on environmental matters and setting a minimum standard of LEEDTM Gold
projects a clear expectation that it's the City's responsibility to support and be leaders in
environmental initiatives.
On motion by Mr. B. McColl -
it was resolved:
"That the City implement a minimum sustainable design, construction, and certification
standard of LEEDTM "Gold" for all new City built and owned facilities over 500m2 gross
floor area and a lower level of certification may be considered on an individual business
case assessment basis; and,
That the City implement sustainable design and construction standards for retrofit and
renovation projects on an individual business case assessment basis; and,
That the City target new facilities for a minimum 30% reduction in energy use as compared
to the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) standard for similar facilities;
and further,
That the City review its green building design and construction standards on an annual
basis."
3. DTS-0$-033 - LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) FRAMEWORK
The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-08-
033, dated February 20, 2008, regarding an operating framework for the City's Local
Environmental Action Fund (LEAF). Mr. R. Browning and Ms. B. Steiner presented the operating
framework with particular emphasis on the public input into its development. Ms. Steiner noted
that the public re-enforcement of the types of projects put forward by Council, including a desire
to foster public education.
In response to questions, Ms. B. Steiner advised that the draft operational framework criteria
were developed based on the input staff received from both Council and the public. She stated
that it is anticipated that funding would be awarded based on how an individual proposal
correspond with the objectives of the framework. She added that ideally all projects would be
required to meet Objective 1 and 7; and in addition, some aspects of Objectives 2 to 6. She
noted that LEAF is not intended to be an incentive program and it is envisioned that projects
receiving funding would impact the community at large. She added that the framework speaks to
the fund not being used as a subsidy for businesses to cover the cost of services that they
already provide. She further advised that this should be considered an operational framework,
noting that is not meant to be a list of conditions that proposals must meet in order to receive
funding. Accordingly, it has been designed to be flexible and to provide Council with a degree of
latitude when determining the proposals that would be funded through LEAF. In response to
concerns regarding the use of the terms "reduce and repair" in the Goal section outlined on Page
6, Ms. Steiner advised that it should not be assumed that the present state of Kitchener's
environment is optimal; therefore, the City should strive to improve the community's ability to live
sustainably into the future. She added that, as outlined on Page 8, a Steering Committee would
be established to review the proposals the City receives and would recommend potential LEAF
projects for Council's consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 21, 200$ - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. DTS-0$-033 - LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND tLEAF) FRAMEWORK tCONT'D)
At the request of Ms. Y. Fernandes, it was agreed that businesses would be included among the
list of groups targeted for public awareness referred to in Objective 7 on Page 6. In addition, it
was suggested that LEAF funding should only be available to not-for-profit organizations.
On motion by Mr. C. Schneider -
it was resolved:
"That the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) operating framework, be endorsed,
with the inclusion of the suggestions put forward at the February 21, 2008 Environmental
Committee meeting."
4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT UPDATE
The Committee was in receipt this date of a document entitled Strategic Plan for the Environment
Update, dated February 2008. Ms. B. Steiner reviewed the circulated document and noted the
following major changes anticipated for the Strategic Plan:
• Air Quality to be added as a new separate functional area;
• functional areas of lesser concern / profile to be re-organized (e.g. Resource
Consumption might be better now combined with Energy or Water Resources; Waste
Management, now almost entirely a Regional function, may be addressed elsewhere in
the Plan);
• language would be made less bureaucratic; and,
• a mechanism would be developed (e.g. interactive website) for the public to track the
environmental progress of the Strategic Plan.
Mr. Q. Ludin suggested that in addition to tracking the progress of the Strategic Plan, the
interactive website should also allow the public to comment on the progress of the Plan.
In response to questions, Ms. B. Steiner advised that the major changes were developed based
on input received from both the public and staff. In response to concerns regarding the use of
bureaucratic language /procedures, she commented that the Plan could be revised to clarify
where the public should direct their environmental concerns /inquiries. She noted that staff
anticipate presenting the draft revised Strategic Plan for the Environment at the March 20, 2008
Environmental Committee meeting.
5. AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER PLAN - 2007 BEST BETS POST BUDGET FINALIZATION
UPDATE
The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. A. Pinard, dated February 8, 2008
providing apost-Budget finalization update of the 2007 Air Quality in Kitchener Best Bets.
The members then undertook a lengthy discussion regarding the process for selecting the 5 Best
Bets for 2008. The Committee agreed that the Air Quality Working Group would bring forward 8
to 10 recommendations from the Air Quality in Kitchener report at the April 24, 2008 meeting;
from which the Committee as a whole would select the 5 Best Bets for 2008. Councillor B.
Vrbanovic noted that any questions regarding the 2007 Best Bets post-Budget finalization update
could be forwarded directly to Mr. A. Pinard at alain.ginard@kitchener.ca.
6. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator