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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-21ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:04 p. m. Present: Mr. B. McColl -Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. L. Matthews, Ms. S. Smith, Ms. M. Thomson Howell, Ms. J. Young and Messrs. M. Peterson, D. Ryrie, C. Schneider, and G. Zador. Staff: G. Murphy, Director of Engineering L. Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range Planning B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS On behalf of the Committee, Mr. B. McColl welcomed Ms. L. Matthews and Ms. M. Thomson- Howell who were recently appointed to the Environmental Committee. 2. UPDATE -STATUS OF THE VICTORIA PARK LAKE CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) STUDY WITHIN THE 10 YEAR CAPITAL FORECAST (2010-2019) The Committee was in receipt this date of a presentation entitled "stormwater Management Needs Overview," dated January 21, 2010 regarding the establishment of a stormwater rate structure to provide sustainable funding for the City's stormwater management (SWM) program; which could be used to fund the implementation of the Victoria Park Lake Class Environmental Assessment (EA) earlier in the Capital Forecast. Mr. G. Murphy provided an update on the status of the SWM program and the future of the Victoria Park Lake EA. He advised that the 2008 SWM Program and Funding Review Study indicated that the City only allocates enough funds to meet 59% of the sustainable level of service needed to ensure that SWM facilities are functioning adequately. He added that the 2007 SWM Program Budget was pegged at $5.82M, while the 5 year average from 2003-2007 was $4.49M; however, the Review Study identified the required funding to provide a sustainable level of service as being $9.9M. in 2007 dollars. He further advised that in November 2009, Council directed staff to develop an implementation plan for phasing the preferred alternative of the Victoria Park Lake EA sooner than 2019. He stated that staff presented an expedited schedule, indicating that Victoria Park Lake and associated upstream projects could only be move forward in the Capital Forecast if new funds were found. Accordingly, staff recommended a funding approach to implement a stormwater rate to support an annual level of service for SWM of $9.9M (2007). He estimated that this increased level of service would equate to an additional of $3. per month for an average residential property owner. Mr. Murphy advised that at the January 18, 2010 Budget meeting, Council approved in principle the transfer of SWM costs from the property-tax base to a user rate system; thereby, improving the City's ability to protect local source water and the natural environment. He commented that the method in which the SWM rate will be implemented is still to be determined, but it should provide sustainable funding for the SWM program and the reprioritization of the Victoria Park Lake EA. He added that staff were also directed to consult with the owners of currently tax exempt properties, as they would now be assessed a portion of the costs for the City's SWM program. He noted that updates would be provided to the Environmental Committee as this process moves forward. Questions were raised regarding the possibility of providing a partial exemption from the SWM rate to homeowners who implement measures to reduce their impact on the City's SWM facilities. Mr. Murphy commented that this would be dependant upon what is finally approved, noting that it is more then likely that some form of incentives would be offered. He advised that as the SWM rate is approved in principle, work can commence on the stormwater utility implementation program, building on the detailed financial analysis completed in the 2008 Study. He spoke to the necessity of undertaking public consultation and an education program regarding the new SWM rate. He outlined that the selection of the stormwater rate methodology is anticipated to be brought forward at the February 8, 2010, Development and Technical Services Committee meeting, with the implementation of the rate being presented for consideration in May 2010. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2010 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DRAFT REGIONAL GREENLANDS NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINE Ms. B. Steiner advised that the new Regional Official Plan (ROP) relies on a variety of Implementation Guidelines to provide necessary elaboration of its policies to assist staff and development applicants. She stated that a draft Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline has been prepared to build upon the 2002 Guideline for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. It contains a guideline for the preparation of full and scoped Environmental Impact Statements, as well as guidelines for delineating the buffers of Regionally significant environmental features, and natural linkages. She outlined that as required by the ROP, at the end of January 2010, the draft Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline will be circulated to area municipalities, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Ministry of Natural Resources, and other stakeholders for review and comment. She noted that all comments and input must be submitted to the Region by no later then April 30, 2010. Ms. Steiner recommended that due to the scope of the document, aSub-committee could be formed to review the Guideline and prepare draft comments to be considered by the Committee at the February 18, 2010 meeting. She noted that the Environmental Committee's comments on the draft Guideline would be summarized and incorporated into the staff report, which is anticipated to be presented at the March 8, 2010 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting. Mr. B. McColl opened the floor to nominations and it was agreed that the following members would be appointed to the Regional Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline Sub- committee: Ms. L. Matthews and Messrs. M. Patterson and D. Ryrie. 4. EARTH DAY 2010 -UPDATE The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from the Earth Day Organizing Committee, containing a list and calendar of potential Earth Week events for 2010. Ms. C. Musselman encouraged members to review the list and identify the potential activities that they would like to participate in, or help facilitate during Earth Week. She commented that the items in black on the draft list are events that happened in previous years and the items listed in orange are new events being considered for 2010. She added that this is only a preliminary list, noting that members could provide suggestions for additional Earth Week activities. It was suggested that the list could include information on the Earth Week activities being undertaken by local schools, and Ms. M. Thomson Howell agreed to follow-up with the local school boards. She noted that the activities being held at elementary schools may not be open to the public and should probably not be included on the list. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Earth Hour Sub-committee met this date and discussed means with which to expand this event. It was agreed that they would engage the Downtown Business Association to encourage their members to participate. He added that last year in conjunction with Tim Hortons, the City presented a screening of the documentary "Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home," noting that the Organizing Committee is currently investigating whether a similar event could be held in 2010. 5. GENERAL DISCUSSION -PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER REPORT - SUGGESTED NEW RECOMMENDED ACTIONS (BEST BETS) The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Ms. C. Musselman, dated January 4, 2010 outlining the process for revising the Air Quality in Kitchener report in 2010. Ms. Musselman reviewed the proposed process and advised that at the June 18, 2009 meeting, the Committee undertook a preliminary brainstorming exercise on the development of the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report. It is suggested that the new list of Recommended Actions, or potential Best Bets, could be categorized under the seven functional areas outlined in the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment. She indicated that time has been set aside at this meeting to allow the Committee an opportunity to discuss and propose new environmental action items, which could be used as future Best Bets. She noted that following ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2010 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. GENERAL DISCUSSION -PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER REPORT - SUGGESTED NEW RECOMMENDED ACTIONS (CONT'D) the brainstorming session she would compile the members suggested action items into a consolidated list for consideration at a future meeting. The Committee then undertook a brainstorming session, where members put forward ideas for action items to be included in the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report in relation to the following functional areas: 1. Natural Heritage System and Recreational Amenity Areas; 2. Water Resources; 3. Air Qualities; and, 4. Land Resource and Growth Management. Following the completion of the brainstorming session, Ms. Musselman advised that any questions or additional potential Best Bets could be forwarded to her directly at Carrie.musselman(a~kitchener.ca. She added that time will be set aside at the February 18, 2010 meeting for an additional brainstorming session on the remaining functional areas. She noted that ideally the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report would be finalized by the May 20, 2010 Environmental Committee meeting. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:58 p. m. Dianna Saunderson Colin Goodeve Administrative Clerk Committee Administrator