HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-16 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 16, 2023 - 1 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Present: K. Bockasten, M. Garner, G. Johannesson, F. Tohidi, B. Unrau, B. Wallis, K. Loveless, V. Nhio-son, S.
Wyness, Cllr. A. Clancy, Cllr. S. Davey, M. J. Patterson, P. Gilbride,
Regrets: J. Clary-Lemon, B. Kurczak, M. Shafii
Staff:
S. Lodenquai, Committee Administrator
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
N. Goss, Manager Policy & Research
G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning
A. M. Cipriani, Sustainability Office Associate
B. Steiner, Senior Environmental Planner
G. Khandelwal, Planner (Policy)
A. Buitendyk, Forestry Project Manager, Manager, Forestry and Natural
Areas Management
1. COMMENCEMENT
The Climate Change and Environment Committee began this date at 4:10 p.m. with a Land
Acknowledgement given by the Chair.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
None.
3. PRESENTATION OF REEP GREEN SOLUTIONS ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2021- 2022
The committee received a presentation about the Reep Green Solutions annual impact report by Mary
Jane Patterson and Patrick Gilbride.
The presentation explained Reep Green Solutions’ intention to have community members take 10,000
actions toward a resilient low-carbon future. To date, 29.3% of the target has been reached with 2934
meaningful actions and 9850 supportive actions taken.
Also reviewed were topics of home energy and water efficiency, the challenge of deep energy retrofits,
the Healthy Yards and Neighbourhoods program, and community engagement. A financial summary of
expenses and revenue was provided.
General discussion between the committee members and delegations followed. Some of the topics raised
included:
What are the next steps as far as energy poverty? To which, MJ Patterson responded that the
next steps will likely have to involve staff who work on social and affordable housing.
Also discussed was whether energy consumption the leading strategy? MJ Patterson advised that
by working with municipalities who are working on the alleviation of poverty, it will expand
possibilities, where in the past utility programs have been geared towards energy savings only.
The committee also inquired about how Reep Green Solutions determine their goals and what
goal setting criteria is used.
Another topic discussed was the issue of debt generating green incentives and how it affected
those living in poverty; this sparked further discussion of the inequities of these incentives can
lead to and the importance of benefits like having a loan loss reserve on hand.
4. TREE CONSERVATION PROCESSES REVIEW
G. Khandelwal provided an overview of the City of Kitchener’s Tree Canopy Target; including Council
direction, key terms, the five factors that influence tree canopy cover, Kitchener’s existing tree canopy
and the changes between 2014 and 2019. The following topics were also reviewed:
the existing tree canopy ownership structure
the scope, tasks, and timelines of the process
existing provincial and regional direction
the City’s current approach re private and public trees
The following questions posed to the committee:
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 16, 2023 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Would the background material collected be helpful to inform decision-making in future
stages of the review? Do you have any suggestions?
What information would you be most interested having brought to the next meeting? We
intend to:
o Confirm current approach to trees in Kitchener
o Present approaches to trees in other jurisdictions
The committee took part in a general discussion and asked clarifying questions. G. Khandelwal confirmed
this item is scheduled to return to the committee with an update at the March 2023 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Shannon Lodenquai
Committee Administrator