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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-09ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9r 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. Y. Fernandes, Ms. N. Sonder and Messrs. M. Aulich, A. Boterman, J. Countryman, R. dal Bello, R. Dingman, J. Flanagan, B. Lemieux, D. Lippert and D. Marks. Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Mr. P. O'Toole were in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. G. Nixon and G. Meincke. Mr. R. dal Bello, past Co-Chair, called this meeting to order and undertook introductions. 1. 2003 EARTH DAY FESTIVAL - UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of minutes pertaining to a brainstorming session held on November 15, 2002 with respect to plans for the 2003 Earth Day Festival. It is noted that the Special Events Division of the Community Services Department has assumed responsibility for organizing this event and the staff contact is Mr. Glen Richardson, Manager of Design and Development. Mr. Grant Nixon attended to provide an update on discussions of the Working Committee and advised that the official date for Earth Day is April 22, 2003. He commented that the Working Committee wants to broaden the scope of the festival by holding events throughout the year. In this way, he stated it will ensure environmental issues stay prominent during the course of the year. He advised that the GRCA and Sunoco will act as sponsors for a spring tree planting during Earth Week which is planned to take place in the southwest corridor of the City; however, the exact site is yet to be determined. An outline of other events proposed to take place between the months of April to October was provided and Mr. Nixon advised that a further report will be coming to the Committee's February meeting. In the interim, he extended an invitation to Committee members to forward new suggestions, ideas and/or contacts they may have for consideration of the Working Committee. The Committee then entered into a brief discussion during which issues were raised concerning staff overtime, involvement of community centres and private schools, and inclusion of air quality events during Earth Week. Members of the Committee were asked to e-mail the Committee Administrator with any suggestions they wished to have considered by the Working Committee. 2. DTS-02-269 - STORM WATER MANAGEMENT POLICY - ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT 2002 The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-02- 269 dated November 21, 2002, concerning the 2002 Annual Audit Report of the City's Storm Water Management Policy, prepared by TSH Engineers Architects Planners (TSH) and an Executive Summary of the Audit Report. Sketches designated as Figure 1 (proposed Stormwater Management Plan) and Figure 2 (Existing and New Works) were circulated this date. Mr. Greg Meincke and Mr. Ray Tufgar, TSH, attended to provide an overview of the Audit Report. Mr. Meincke commented that the City completed a Master Stormwater Management Policy in December 2001 which has now been in effect for one year. He advised that Recommendation #10 of the Policy requires an annual audit to be completed. During his presentation he highlighted work undertaken to improve water quality, as well as the status of work in progress and modifications proposed for work in 2003. He pointed out that the audit provides a comprehensive monitoring program for purpose of analysis and audits will be completed annually to ensure continuous improvement is being achieved with respect to water quality. During the presentation Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Mr. P. O'Toole entered the meeting and Councillor Vrbanovic assumed the Chair. Mr. Meincke and Mr. Tufgar then responded to a number of questions concerning creek rehabilitation, impact of new development on creeks/wetlands, protection of wetlands and identification of contaminant sources. Mr. Tufgar pointed out that firm conclusions concerning 2. DTS-02-269 - STORM WATER MANAGEMENT POLICY - ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT 2002 (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9~ 2003 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER contaminates cannot be drawn at this time as the audit is based on only one year of data; however, as work progresses and further auditing takes place areas of concern will be further investigated and defined. APPOINTMENT - CO-CHAIR Councillor B. Vrbanovic opened the floor for nominations. Mr. Rino dal Bello was nominated and agreed to stand for appointment. No other nominations were forthcoming. On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That Mr. Rino dal Bello be appointed Co-Chair of the Environmental Committee for a term to expire on November 30, 2003." APPOINTMENT - CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AIR QUALITY Ms. Barbara Steiner advised that she had been in contact with representatives of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality (CACAQ) to make enquiries concerning Council's request to appoint an Environmental Committee representative to their organization. She advised that during the previous summer months CACAQ amended its constitution resulting in restructuring of the organization. She noted that the organization is still interested in having a representative of the Environmental Committee appointed; however, additional time is required to determine the most appropriate positioning of such an appointment within the new structure. Accordingly, she requested that this appointment be deferred until the February meeting to permit opportunity for further discussion to take place with CACAQ. By general consent, it was agreed to defer and refer appointment of an Environmental Committee representative to CACAQ to the February 6, 2003 Environmental Committee meeting. MEETING DATES - PROPOSED 2003 COMMITTEE MEETING DATE SCHEDULE On motion by Ms. Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: "That the Environmental Committee approve holding its 2003 meetings at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings on the dates listed below: February 6 April 10 June 12 September 11 March 6 May 8 August 14 October 9." ORIENTATION - ROLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - 2002-2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE STRATEGIC WORK PLAN - STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN The Committee was previously circulated with copies of the following documentation: Reference, 2002-2003 Environmental Committee Strategic Work Plan and the Environmental Plan. Terms of Strategic An orientation session was conducted by Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Ms. Barbara Steiner during which each of the documents above were reviewed. During review, the role and reporting structure of the Committee was explained and information was provided on the status of the two Strategic Plans. Discussion took place concerning how to approach actions identified as a priority within the Strategic Work Plan. Following discussion, it was agreed to allow an opportunity for new ORIENTATION - ROLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE - 2002-2003 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE STRATEGIC WORK PLAN - STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN (CONT'D) ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 9~ 2003 -3- CITY OF KITCHENER members of the Committee to fully review the contents of the Work Plan and at the next meeting identify any new issues they would like to have considered for inclusion in the plan. Further discussion will also be undertaken at the next meeting with respect to the approach to be taken in proceeding with the Work Plan. 7. REGION OF WATERLOO - CENTRAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR - FEASIBILITY STUDY Ms. Barbara Steiner advised that the Region of Waterloo is undertaking a feasibility study for a Central Transit Corridor proposed for development between Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, St. Jacobs and Elmira. She noted that the study will identify the location of the corridor, the timing and staging of implementation, a preferred technology, location of transit nodes and stations, and strategies needed to support such an initiative. Ms. Steiner pointed out that an information session is planned for Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at the Conestoga Mall, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and invited members of the Committee to attend. 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator