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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-11ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 11, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:07 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 B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. SELECTION OF THE 200$ COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) RECIPIENTS The Committee was in receipt this date of an updated 2008 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) -Environmental Committee Ranking Chart, which contains an aggregate ranking of all the 2008 CEIG applications based on the results of the members' individual evaluations. Mr. Glen Woolner and Ms. Beth Hobson, Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) addressed the Committee in support of their organization's grant request. Mr. Woolner advised that last year CREW received a $3000. grant for its Power Saving Network and are requesting additional support to sustain the project for another year while alternative funding opportunities are being explored; such as, a Trillium Grant. Ms. Hobson noted that CREW is interested in expanding its services to seniors' homes and grade school students, adding that they would not be able to undertake these measures without the requested support from the City of Kitchener. Representatives of Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre -Our Outdoor Learning Environment project addressed the Committee in support of their application. It was noted that the requested funds would be used to implement an outdoor learning environment to support physical wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and education of families attending the Ontario Early Years Centre and the surrounding community. Ms. Candace Wormsbecker and Ms. Stephanie Nebonaionoquet, Opportunities Waterloo Region advised that the "Let's Open Our Gardens" is a one day opening ceremony event aimed at providing information and resources to the community about local gardens. Ms. Wormsbecker stated that through this event her group hopes to create awareness of community gardens, network with other gardeners and provide gardening educational opportunities to Kitchener residents. Ms. Jennifer Evens, Sustainable Cycles -Mothers of the Planet Earth addressed the Committee in support of her organization's grant application and provided an overview of the various initiatives they are currently pursuing. Ms. Evens stated that the CEIG funding would be used to host a series of events in the downtown core that would examine issues, such as: industrial agriculture and factory farming, food security, waste management, water resources and conservation, sustainable shelter, as well as examples of sustainable lifestyle choices. Ms. Karen Grubb, Queensmount Senior Public School -Queensmount Greening Project advised that her project would provide shade and seating for students in the common area between the school and Queensmount Arena. She stated that students currently use the common area during nutrition breaks; however, its natural environment is limited due to it being a high traffic area. She noted that some ambiguity exists as to who is responsible for that location, adding that she has spoken with staff from the City's Community Services Department regarding that issue. Representatives from the Kitchener-Waterloo Urban Harvester addressed the Committee in support of their group's grant request. They stated that their program is primarily run by students from Wilfrid Laurier University and is aimed at connecting people who wish to garden unused urban spaces. It was noted that the summer of 2008 was their first season as an organization and they were able to plant gardens in 5 different locations. Mr. Bruce MacNeil, Kitchener Master Gardeners -Seedy Saturday advised that their project is focused on bringing together horticultural educators and vendors to promote horticulture, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 11, 200$ - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. SELECTION OF THE 200$ COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (CEIG) RECIPIENTS tCONT'D) particularly through seed propagation. He stated that the Seedy Saturday program would provide information to area residents interested in starting and growing their own food and flower crops. The Committee then considered the 20 CEIG applications received in 2008. It was noted that in the past a significant number of applications had been received from school groups and one of the objectives identified during the grant review was to encourage a broader variety of applicants. Therefore, in accordance with the criteria outlined in Council Policy I-590 (Grant Program - Community Environmental Improvement) the Committee agreed to limit the number of grant applications it would consider from schools and school related entities in 2008. In addition, the Committee decided to withdraw the CREW - Power Saving Network application from consideration, as these are intended to be one-time only grants. To facilitate the evaluation of the remaining applications, the Committee agreed to use the average score a group received in the ranking as a percentage of the group's overall funding request to determine a baseline of funding that could be allocated to that group. For example, if a group was requesting $3,000. and had an average score of 50 points, the baseline for discussion of that group's potential funding allocation would be $1,500. Using this methodology, the Committee proceeded to deliberate as to whether the grant allocation for a particular group should be increased or decreased from its identified baseline. Resultant to this it was agreed that a total of $10,750. of the 2008 CEIG funding should be allocated as follows: • $650. to Kitchener-Waterloo Urban Harvester; • $2,000. to Opportunities Waterloo Region; • $1,900. to Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre; • $1,600 to Kitchener Master Gardeners; • $1,600. to Forest Heights Community Association; • $500. to Sustainable Cycles -Mothers of the Planet Earth; • $1,500. to St. Mary's Catholic Church; and, • $1,000. to Olde Berlin Towne Neighbourhood Association. Ms. C. Musselman estimated that staff would need between $750. to $800. to undertake the 2009 CEIG advertising campaign and build on the success of the 2008 CEIG program. Accordingly, the Committee agreed that the remaining $750. of the 2008 CEIG funds should be allocated toward advertising the 2009 grants. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - it was resolved: "That the 2008 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG), to be funded from the Environmental Stewardship Capital Account, be awarded as follows: $650. to Kitchener-Waterloo Urban Harvester; $2,000. to Opportunities Waterloo Region; $1,900. to Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre; $1,600. to Kitchener Master Gardeners; $1,600. to Forest Heights Community Association; $500. to Sustainable Cycles -Mothers of the Planet Earth; $1,500. to St. Mary's Catholic Church; and, $1,000. to Olde Berlin Towne Neighbourhood Association; and further, That the remaining $750. of the 2008 CEIG funds be prorated to assist with costs related to advertising the 2009 grant program." 2. DTS-0$-1$0 - AIR QUALITY & EMISSIONS RELATIVE TO DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITIES The Committee considered Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-08- 180, dated October 21, 2008 regarding air quality and emissions relative to drive-through facilities. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Mr. Maurice Luchich, the TDL Group Corp. and correspondence from Ms. Michelle Saunders, Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), regarding concerns with the third and fourth clauses of the recommendation outlined in report DTS-08-180. Mr. A. Pinard advised that as indicated in report DTS-08-180, the findings for the Tim Hortons stores examined in the study developed by RWDI Consulting Engineering and Scientists indicate ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 11.200$ - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-0$-1$0 - AIR QUALITY & EMISSIONS RELATIVE TO DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITIES tCONT'D) no air quality benefit to the public from eliminating drive-throughs. He stated that City staff are not experts in air quality science and are not capable of commenting on the tenets of the RWDI study. While awaiting publication of the RWDI study in the Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, it is recommended that staff be directed to initiate amendments to urban design policies and guidelines intended for drive-throughs. With respect to the concerns raised in the circulated correspondence, staff are amiable to revising the third clause of the recommendation to reference the quick-service industry and not any single corporate entity. He noted that this clause does not propose any particular regulation, rather, the quick-service industry is simply being asked to improve notification and awareness of the "eat-in" option. He further outlined that concerning the fourth clause, staff already have direction from Council to proceed with revising the urban design guidelines to improve pedestrian safety. However, staff has delayed devoting considerable resources to this in the event that drive-through facilities would be subject to additional regulations. He added that this clause merely clarifies that staff will now move forward on revising the guidelines given that no other regulations are being recommended. The Committee then briefly recessed and re-convened the meeting in the Council Chambers. Ms. Michelle Saunders, Manager of Government Relations, ORHMA reviewed her group's objections to the proposed recommendation as outlined in her circulated correspondence. She stated that quick-service restaurants are specifically designed to have large windows and that the "eat-in" option is clearly visible. She added that the issue of pedestrian safety was addressed and resolved at the January 28, 2008 Council meeting and requested that the fourth clause of the recommendation be withdrawn. Mr. B. McColl advised that in his opinion the RWDI study functions as a public relations tool and questioned its findings. He raised concerns with the study's comparison of drive-through facilities to common emission sources, highlighting how the examples used in the study are not representative of everyday sources. He commented that the comparisons used in the study seem to confuse the issue. Mr. McColl expressed additional concern with the small sample size used by RWDI, which he noted could result in a higher margin of error. He stated that given these shortcomings he is skeptical of the study's findings. Ms. Y. Fernandes expressed support for the statements made by Mr. McColl and put forward that any recommendation arising from the Committee this date should request that the RWDI study be received as a marketing report and not as an information document. Mr. A. Pinard advised that the scientific and technical information surrounding air quality science covering drive-though emissions is relatively new and there is not a large body of research or data on this topic. He stated that staff are not experts in air quality science and are not in a position of providing expert comments on the tenets of the RWDI study. He added that staff agree with the comment that the sample size was small and focuses on one business; however, it is also noted that the RWDI study commissioned by Tim Hortons is the only scientific information available. As a result, staff are of the opinion that it is premature to reach conclusions with confidence on the air quality impacts of drive-through facilities. He stated that publication of the RWDI study in the Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association and subsequent responses are important steps in improving the knowledge base of this topic. He noted that interest in this issue may fuel additional research, adding that staff will continue to monitor all relevant literature. On motion, Mr. M. Peterson brought the recommendation contained in report DTS-08-180 forward for consideration, with an amendment that clause three reference the quick-service industry as proposed by Mr. Pinard. Mr. Peterson stated that he disagrees with labelling the study as a marketing report, noting that its merits will be scrutinized by experts when it is submitted for consideration in the Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association. Several members expressed support for the revised recommendation, noting that they were also hesitant to indicate that the study should be received as anything other than an information document. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 11, 200$ - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-0$-1$0 - AIR QUALITY & EMISSIONS RELATIVE TO DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITIES tCONT'D) On motion by Mr. M. Peterson - it was resolved: "That the `Air Quality Assessment of Tim Hortons Restaurants' study prepared by RWDI Consulting Engineers and Scientists, dated May 2008, be received as information; and, That staff continue to monitor the emerging body of scientific information related to air quality and emissions relative to drive-through facilities; and, That the quick-service industry be encouraged to improve notification and awareness of the "eat-in" option at restaurants where this service is available; and further, That staff proceed with amending existing design guidelines and standards for drive- throughs as they relate to pedestrian safety and urban design." 3. GENERAL DISCUSSION Ms. Y. Fernandes put forward that for the coming term the Committee should re-examine the proposal to build a looped trail around the Grand River. She also suggested that the Committee be included in the vetting process for the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) applications. In addition, she inquired as to whether members would attend future Ontario Environmental Advisory Committee conferences, and staff agreed to follow upon this issue. 4. COMMITTEE FAREWELL As this was the last meeting of the Committee's current term, Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked the members and staff for all of their hard work over the past two years. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator