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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv 2010-02-18 - Proposed Revisions to the Air Quality ReporINTERNAL MEMO City of Kitchener City Hall, 200 King St. West P.O. Bo x 1118 Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 Date: February 1, 2010 To: Environmental Committee From:Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner (519) 741-3400 x 3148 Subject: Process to Revise the Air Quality in Kitchener Report In May 2006, the Environmental Committee presented a report to Council entitled “Air Quality in Kitchener (2006).” The report was the culmination of a year of deliberations by members responding to direction given by Council in November of 2004 to develop a long-term, “comprehensive plan” on the air quality in the City of Kitchener. The report included a series of (50+) Recommended Actions and in 2006, five (5) of these actions (Five Best Bets) were put forward by the Environmental Committee for investigation by staff. On July 4, 2006, Council, at the request of the Environmental Committee, directed staff to commence an examination into the feasibility and potential of implementing the Five Best Bets for 2006. Similarly, in May of 2007, 2008 and 2009 Council directed staff to investigate the feasibility of implementing the Five Best Bets put forward by the Environmental Committee in those years. At the March 19, 2009 meeting, the Committee considered its draft Work Plan (2009/2010), which describes the various initiatives to be pursued in the coming term along with a proposed timeline for completion. This included a provision for updating the Air Quality in Kitchener report in 2010. At the June 18, 2009 meeting, the Committee undertook a preliminary brainstorming exercise on the development of the revised Air Quality report. It was suggested that the new list of Recommended Actions (potential Best Bets) could be categorized under the seven functional areas outlined in the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan for the Environment. Linking the Air Quality in Kitchener report to the Strategic Plan ensures that the Best Bets proposed by the Committee are consistent with the City’s overall environmental objectives. To assist with the development of new Recommended Actions a copy of the Strategic Plan’sExecutive Summary has been attached hereto. Please note that the full version of the Strategic Plan can be found in the Committee Member Binder, or at http://www.kitchener.ca/pdf/environment_strat_plan.pdf At the January 21, 2010 Environmental Committee meeting, a brainstorming session was held and 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. At the February 18, 2010 Environmental Committee meeting, a further brainstorming session will be held and members will once again be asked to put forward ideas for action items to be included in the revised Air Quality in Kitchener report in relation to the following functional areas: 5. Energy systems; 6. Resources Consumption and Waste Management; 7. Environmental Education and Public Awareness; and, 3. Air Qualities. ì ó ï A chart entitled “Air Quality Plan Long Term Action Items - 50 Best Bets” has also been attached, which provides an overview of the 50+ Recommended Actions outlined in Air Quality in Kitchener (2006); and identifies those items that were previously selected as Best Bets. In preparation for the February meeting, members are requested to review both the chart and the Strategic Plan’sExecutive Summary as a basis for developing new Recommended Actions. It th is anticipated that with the revised Air Quality in Kitchener reportwill be finalized at the May 20 meeting. To help facilitate the discussion process, members are asked to forward any action items they may have come up with since the January meeting, to Environmental Planning staff by no later than noon on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. ì ó î èÔÓÎÑðÍÙÛÐÐÃûÙÈðÍÙÛÐÐà ì ó í ì ó ì ì ó ë ì ó ê ì ó é ì ó è ì ó ç ì ó ïð ì ó ïï 2009 2008 2007 2006 ì ó ïî 2009 2008 2007 2006 ì ó ïí 2009 2008 2007 2006 ì ó ïì 2009 2008 2007 2006 ì ó ïë 2009 2008 2007 2006 ì ó ïê