The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

CKLEAC2022-003
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Lindsay Service Centre - 2nd Floor
180 Kent Street West
Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y6
Members:
  • Deputy Mayor Tracy Richardson
  • Virginia Colling
  • Josh Feltham
  • Douglas Lowles
  • Ryan Megraw
  • Jamie Morris
  • Deborah Pearson
  • Karen Quinn
  • D. Ryrie
  • Barry Snider
  • Pat Warren
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact [email protected] if you have an accessible accommodation request.

Pat Warren called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m..  Members in attendance were P. Warren, D. Pearson, V. Colling, D. Lowles, J. Morris, B. Snider, Deputy Mayor T. Richardson, and D. Ryrie.

Absent:  R. Megraw, K. Quinn, J. Feltham.

Staff present were R. Holy, Director of Development Services, Nancy Ord, Administrative Assistance and Recording Secretary.

Deputations/Presenters: Julie Petit, Robin Turri and David Webb

Observers:  C. Appleton and L. Found, Growth Management Strategy Task Force members.

J. Morris requested Item 6.2 Active Transportation Master Plan Update be discussed as a closed portion of the meeting and then withdrew the request after discussion and clarification by Staff that Advisory Committees of Council and Task Forces must be open to the public

V. Colling requested Item 6.3 be deleted and replaced with Updating the Terms of Reference for CKLEAC.

V. Colling requested the addition of Item 6.4 Building Code Standards.

V. Colling requested the addition of Item 6.5 Municipal Comprehensive Review of Growth Management.

V. Colling raised and D. Lowles commented on the addition of Item 6.6 Reform Gravel Mining Coalition May 12, 2022 Event.

  • Moved ByJ. Morris
    Seconded ByD. Pearson

    That the agenda be adopted as amended.

    Carried

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

March 24, 2022

  • Moved ByJ. Morris
    Seconded ByD. Lowles

    ​That the minutes of the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting held on March 24, 2022 be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

Research Project - Community Driven Sustainability

The Chair welcomed the presenters who made a slide presentation on research entitled "Community Driven Sustainability Program (CDSP) in the Pilot Community – City of Kawartha Lakes” and provided an overview of professional credentials, outlined three phases of the project and a series of recommendations to increase community participation, focus on reduced consumption, leverage existing tools such as the Healthy Environment Plan and identify anchor organizations that can help direct the community and contribute resources.  Next steps would include working with relevant stakeholders and resources groups to research, design and launch a strategy to make behaviour changes.

CKLEAC members posed a number of questions which resulted in the following:

  • CKLEAC can be a valuable local resource providing direction and clarifying what will be the most effective anchors for the project.
  • The project is currently between Phases 1 and 2 and is nearing completion of the research phase.
  • The final report is not publicly available but will be shared with the City Kawartha Lakes.
  • Kawartha Lakes was an ideal Pilot Community due to its cross section of communities, differing social groups, landscapes
  • A potential strategy to encourage sustainability which has been successful elsewhere may include healthy competition to encourage reduction in individual energy consumption
  • Moved ByV. Colling
    Seconded ByD. Lowles

    That CKLEAC accepts the presentation of Julie Petit and Robin Turri.

    Carried

Future Waste Options

David Webb requested CKLEAC support on redirecting the City’s efforts and dollars on Future Waste Options away from expanding landfills and to pursue programs such as Source Separated Organics (SSO), Mixed Load Processing of construction and demolition waste (C & D) and Shared Mass Burn technology with the goal of potentially making additional landfills unnecessary.  Examples of these programs and the significant potential for diverting waste noted the Durham-York Energy and others and the suggestion made that a portion of the $55 million allocated for the City’s review be diverted to a study of options.

Mr. Webb recommended CKLEAC ask the City to pause, restart its public consultation process until options such as SSO can be evaluated and encouraged CKLEAC members to add their comments to the City’s Jump In page.

Councillor Richardson indicated a report on the Lindsay – Ops Landfill will be presented to Committee of the Whole, that Council has requested a report on the SSO program and discussion is continuing on issues such as the Durham-York program.

Follow-up questions by CKLEAC raised the following points:

  • Public consultation will likely be completed by the end of June 2022 before all information on SSO is available.
  • Mass burn vs residuals in conjunction with other municipalities.
  • Research into balancing of costs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to waste programs.
  • Moved ByD. Pearson
    Seconded ByV. Colling

    That the presentation by David Webb be received.

    Carried
  • Moved ByD. Pearson
    Seconded ByB. Snider

    That CKLEAC request the municipal Engineering and Public Works staff appear at an upcoming CKLEAC meeting to discuss the recommendation made by David Webb and to respond to further questions of CKLEAC.

    Carried

No correspondence was presented.

  • Pollinator Action Sub-Committee
  • Environmental Hero
  • Active Transportation
  • Transportation Sub-Committee

Pollinator Action Sub-Committee

D. Pearson updated the Committee on the Parks Division’s review of the Broad Street Urban Island Pollinator Garden project which indicated support but recommended a smaller project as a start which could be built on into the future. The Parks Division were concerned with ongoing maintenance and the need for commitment by neighbours and the Pollinator Action Committee to maintain the garden over time. The project will start at the beginning of May, will be smaller and the funding commitment by CKLEAC of $3,800 may turn out to be lower with the smaller project.

Questions of CKLEAC members resulted in the following:

  • A front yard pollinator garden tour is considered later in the summer and not in conflict with the Lindsay Garden Tour held in in July.
  • The City’s Property Standards By-law would enable the creation of front yard pollinator and flower gardens unless overgrown with weeds and noxious plants.
  • The road side boulevards within the municipal road allowance do not allow for the placement of objects/benches citing municipal snow management responsibilities.
  • A prior request by the Library for CKLEAC funding to support a seed packet program was not required as the Library can undertake the project on their own.

Environmental Hero Awards

The Chair reported the Environmental Hero awards would be presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting of Council at 1:00 p.m. on May 3, 2022 by Deputy Mayor Tracy Richardson.  Members were invited to observe the ceremony by Zoom.

Transportation Sub-Committee

V. Colling, J. Morris and D. Pearson reported on the following active projects:

Electrical Vehicle Event on Saturday, August 20, 2022: An Electric Vehicle (EV) "meet and greet" event is proposed in downtown Lindsay involving the Kawartha EV Society as the lead with their members displaying their electric vehicles.  This educational event will also see the Plus 'N Drive discovery centre offering short rides and a tent and information booth. Necessary insurance documentation is now in place for the event and applications for a $2,000 funding grant and request to close Kent Street road between Cambridge and Victoria Streets, will proceed.  The event will complement the usual Saturday Market Day and Laurie McCarthy, EDO – Tourism Staff member will assist in promotion and potential funding for charging stations.

Questions of CKLEAC members clarified:

  • The event is informational/educational and local dealerships will be notified to attend as interested citizens and not to set up marketing/selling booths.
  • Pearson offered to investigate the cost of charging stations for electric vehicles.
  • Pedi Go will be setting up a display.

Bike Sharing:  The Bike Sharing project would qualify for a grant program for up to $100,000 for projects to be in place by the end of 2022 and with an application deadline of mid May 2022.  The application and project implementation requires a lead organization and a number of groups are under review including the BIA, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, Green Trails Alliance or the Kawartha Cycling Club.  Issues such as where to locate the bike sharing stands, involvement of municipal divisions if the location is on city property, the short time line and delivery time for bikes/frames were noted.  Deputy Mayor Richardson also offered to provide J. Morris and Laurie McCarthy with electric vehicle lease information.

Raise Awareness on Active Transportation:  J. Morris reported on a kid-focussed initiative involving a local public school principal to make October 5, 2022 International Walk to School Day.  The event will encourage kids to walk/bike to school with recognition awards/prizes, presentations on walking/biking safety and Kawartha Cycling participation in a bike rodeo. 

Emission Reduction targets and reporting:  Report was provided that an internal corporate team to create a Healthy Environment Plan was now dissolved as its mission had been completed.  R. Holy noted a new Environmental Planning Officer position had been created to implement a variety of environmental policies including the Environmental Health Plan, tree policy, etc. and work was underway to create the detailed job description and fill the position.

International Walk to School Day Event at Parkview P.S.

J. Morris requested CKLEAC consider a funding allocation for prizes and certificates at the above referenced October 5, 2022 event.

  • Moved ByD. Lowles
    Seconded ByV. Colling

    That CKLEAC supports funding the International Walk to School Day Event to an upper limit of $400.00.

    Carried

R. Holy indicated a report will be presented for City Council approval at its May 2022 meeting to appoint the members of the Task Force.

V. Colling noted the Updated Terms of reference did not mention CKLEAC role’s in the Healthy Environment Plan.

Moved by V. Colling

Seconded by D. Pearson

That the mission for the City of Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee be amended to include implementation of the Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan.

Carried.

 

6.4 Building code Standards

V. Colling reported on efforts to water down Building Codes and the need to ensure Codes are more resilient in addressing climate change and incorporate LEED standards. R. Holy clarified that no legislative basis existed for compelling LEED standards, that standards can be encouraged and that Site Plan Control is legislated under the Planning Act generally to control exterior building elements only. Other CKLEAC suggestions noted encouraging a mix of housing types in large subdivisions, encouraging homes with smaller floor areas and installation of solar panels.

Moved by V. Colling

Seconded by D. Ryrie

That CKLEAC form a committee to encourage engineering and building standards that address climate change.

Carried.

 

6.5 Growth Management Strategy

In response to comment by V. Colling on Growth Management Strategies underway across the Province, the City of Hamilton’s rejection of the Province growth allocation and the need to look at developable lands within Kawartha Lakes urban area, R. Holy reported on the status of the City’s Growth Management Strategy Task Force Project noting:

  • The City has hired consultants and appointed a GMS Task Force to look at the allocation of growth as allocated by the Province for a minimum addition of 17,000 persons to 2051 and to consider where growth can be accommodated in settlement, rural and urban areas.
  • First report of the GMS has been released to the public and the zoom link for the next GMS Task Force meeting on April 29, 2022 was directed to be provided to CKLEAC members.
  • The final report will be a foundational document and basis for a Municipal Comprehensive Review and will complement direction provided by the Urban Servicing Master Plan and Urban Transportation Master Plan.

6.6 Reform Gravel Coalition

D. Lowles reported on efforts of the Reform Gravel Coalition for a moratorium on new gravel mining and volunteered to provide the link for CKLEAC members to attend a Town Hall meeting on May 12, 2022. The Coalition has approached seventeen municipalities to date who support the moratorium until appropriate issues on operations/supply can be studied.

The next CKLEAC meeting will be held on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.

  • Moved ByD. Lowles
    Seconded ByD. Ryrie

    That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting be adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

    Carried
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