Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-10ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 10~ 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 4:05 p.m., with the following members present: Ms. N. Sonder, Ms. Y. Fernandes and Messrs. M. Aulich, A. Boterman, R. Dingman, B. Lemieux, D. Lippert and P. O'Toole. Officials Present: Ms. B. Steiner, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. J. Willmer, G. Nixon and G. Meincke. 1. 2003 EARTH DAY FESTIVAL - UPDATE Mr. Grant Nixon, Landscape Architect, attended to provide an update on plans for the 2003 Annual Earth Day Festival. He circulated a draft promotional flyer and commented on key events as follows: Earth Day, April 22, 2003 - launching event at Franklin Public School to include tree planting and an environmental essay writing competition; Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor B. Vrbanovic, will be in attendance; Community Promotional Event - April 26, 2003 - Walter Biehn Trail and tree planting - a shuttle bus service will be provided between the Stanley Park Conservation Area and the Bingeman property for those taking walking tours and plans to hold a barbecue for volunteers have been confirmed with the Walter Biehn Grand River Trail Foundation; Community Clean-up - April / May, 2003 - arrangements have been made with 28 local schools, as well as the Country Hills Recreation Association, the Chandler-Mowat Community Centre and Huron Park / Weber Street West area residents to participate in community clean-up campaigns; arrangements are also in the planning stage to conduct a community clean-up in May sponsored by Tim Hortons and to include other representatives of the fast food industry. Members of the Environmental Committee were invited to participate in Earth Day events where possible and Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked staff for the work undertaken in organizing this year's festival. 2. 2002-2003 Environmental Committee Strateqic Work Plan The Committee was in receipt this date of Development & Technical Services Department report DTS-03-036 dated April 9, 2003, outlining various approaches that could be undertaken to initiate specific priority activities as identified in Table 1 attached to the staff report. Ms. B. Steiner, Environmental Planner, provided an overview of the recommended approaches based on the priority activities identified under each of the four main categories of the Strategic Work Plan. A copy of the recommended approaches, as well as Table 1 of report DTS-03-036 is attached hereto and forms part of these minutes. Members of the Committee were generally in agreement with the approaches recommended and in response to a request by Ms. N. Sonder, it was agreed to add an item to the first priority activity listed under the category of Air Quality & Public Transportation involving possible adoption of an Idling By-law. Staff will proceed to work with the Committee to initiate recommended approaches within the timeframes outlined in report DTS-03-036. 3. ALDER CREEK/UPPER STRASBURG WATERSHED STUDY Ms. B. Steiner, Environmental Planner, requested that the Committee give consideration to forming a sub-committee this date for the purpose of reviewing a study to be undertaken with respect to the Alder Creek / Upper Strasburg Creek Watersheds. It was noted that this initiative is directly related to the priority activity listed as Item 2 under "Planning Communities & Development" of the Committee's Strategic Work Plan and is one of the recommended approaches outlined in Development & Technical Services Department Report DTS-03-036, previously considered this date. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 10~ 2003 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. ALDER CREEK / UPPER STRASBURG WATERSHED STUDY (Cont'd) Ms. Steiner advised that the study, initiated by the Grand River Conservation Authority for Alder Creek, has been expanded to include an update of the Upper Strasburg Creek Watershed Study. She provided an overview of watershed / sub-watershed systems, noting that only a small portion of Alder Creek is within City limits, while Upper Strasburg Creek is a large watershed located on the City's west side in close proximity to the Alder Creek system. She stated that Planning staff are awaiting the outcome of the study prior to determining new land uses for the City's west side. Ms. Steiner pointed out that the study will be completed over a 12 month period, during which the sub-committee will have opportunity to review and provide input on consultant reports as they become available. By general consent, it was agreed that Ms. Y. Fernandes and Messrs. M. Aulich and P. ©'Toole would participate as representatives of the Environmental Committee on the Alder Creek / Upper Strasburg Creek Watershed Study review. 4. DRAFT GUIDELINES - DELEGATION PRESENTATIONS & MEETING PROTOCOL The Committee was in receipt of draft guidelines for delegation presentations and meeting protocol, prepared by Ms. J. Billett, Committee Administrator. Ms. Billett advised that the guidelines were prepared in response to a request from a Committee member for information on how to make presentations to the Committee and the guidelines were expanded to include meeting protocol. She noted that further refining of the guidelines is planned to enable development of a consistent approach for all Advisory Committees and it is anticipated that the completed document will be used in orientation sessions at the commencement of Advisory Committee terms of office. Members of the Committee were requested to contact Ms. Billett to provide any comments or concerns they may have with respect to the draft document. REGIONAL NON-ESSENTIAL PESTICIDE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP The Committee was in receipt of various documentation concerning establishment of a Working Group to consist of Regional staff, area municipalities and community stakeholders, for the purpose of developing strategies to reduce the non-essential use of pesticides. The documentation includes: an excerpt from the March 4, 2003 minutes of the Regional Community Services Committee; Regional Public Health Report PH-03-017 dated March 4, 2003; draft Terms of Reference dated January 28, 2003 for the Regional Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Working Group; and the March 21,2003 minutes of Working Group. In response to questions, Ms. B. Steiner advised that the Working Group is pursuing an open, balanced approach to the issue with all information tabled to be peer reviewed and several options are being considered for development of a survey. CONFERENCE - ECOFLUENCY FORUM AND FAIR The Committee was in receipt of an information item respecting a conference entitled "Ecofluency Forum and Fair" to be held May 3 & 4, 2003 in Picton, Ontario. The focus of the conference is to promote new ways to deal with ecological waste and resource management in towns, farms and rural areas. Mr. M. Aulich expressed an interest in attending the conference and was asked to contact Ms. J. Billett to confirm his plans for attendance so that arrangements could be made to cover the registration fee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 10~ 2003 - 13 - 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator