Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Council
Addendum Agenda

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Start Time:

7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers

Should you require an alternative format please contact the Regional Clerk at Tel.: [phone], TTY: 519-575-4605, or

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

3.

Motion to Reconvene into Open Session

• Recommended Motion:

  That Council reconvene into Open Session.

4.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest under the “Municipal Conflict of Interest Act”

5.

Presentations

5.1

Verbal Update, J. Mascarin

For information related to the Waterloo Police Services Board budget approval.

6.

Petitions

None.

7.

Delegations

7.1

Kevin Thomason, Grand River Environmental Network

Re: Water, Official Plans, Development, Environment

7.2

John Jordan, Wilmot

Re: Regional Water

7.3

Gary Eagleson, Parkhill

Re: How long before all class 1,2 and 3 cropland will be lost in Southern Ontario

7.4

Andrew Wilson, Wilmot

Re: 770 Acres land assembly in Wilmot 

7.5

Victoria Baby, CEO, Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth

Re: The Region's water issues and the building of the Humane Society's Community Outreach Centre 

7.6

Joseph Puopolo, Co-CEO, Polocorp Inc.

Re: EES-WIM-26-001, Preliminary Water Capacity Constraint Solutions and Associated Resource Needs

7.7

Melissa Durrell, Executive Officer, Build Urban

Re: EES-WIM-26-001, Preliminary Water Capacity Constraint Solutions and Associated Resource Needs

7.8

Larry Masseo, Policy Advisor, Waterloo Region Home Builders' Association

Re: EES-WIM-26-001, Preliminary Water Capacity Constraint Solutions and Associated Resource Needs

7.9

Jabran Butt, Kitchener

Re: Water Capacity 

7.10

Nina Deeb, Kitchener

Re: Waterloo Region Water Capacity

8.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following minutes be approved.

8.1

Special Council - December 11, 2025

8.2

Closed Council - December 11, 2025

8.3

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - December 16, 2025

8.4

Closed Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - December 16, 2025

8.6

Council Meeting - December 17, 2025

8.7

Closed Council - December 17, 2025

8.8

Audit Committee - December 18, 2025

8.9

All Councils - December 19, 2025

8.10

Special Council Public Input - January 7, 2026

8.11

Special Council - January 9, 2026

8.12

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee - January 13, 2026

8.13

Closed Committee - January 13, 2026

8.5

Special Council - December 16, 2025

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following minutes be approved for Special Council - December 16, 2025.

• Recommended Motion:

  Amendment 

  That a transcript of item 4.1 be included in the amended minutes.

9.

Communications

9.1

Council Information Package - January 21, 2026 (Distributed to Councillors Electronically) 

For information.

9.2

Correspondence - Anne Loeffler

re: 1980 Wilmot Water Allocation Agreement

9.3

Larry Masseo, Policy Advisor, Waterloo Region Home Builders' Association

re: Report No. EES-WAS-26-001

9.4

Correspondence - Brittany Zigmond

re: Water Blue Belt Needed -Stop Wilmot Land Grab

10.

Motion to Go Into Committee of the Whole to Consider Reports

• Recommended Motion:

  That Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports.

11.

Reports

11.1

Committee Reports

11.1.1

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development - January 13, 2026

• Recommended Motion:

  The Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee recommends as follows:

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve an amendment to Controlled Access By-law No. #58-87 for a right-in/right-out emergency access located approximately 245 metres to the north of Pioneer Drive on the west side of Regional Road #28 (Homer Watson Boulevard), in the City of Kitchener, subject to conditions as outlined in Report PDL-GDS-26-001, dated January 13, 2026.
  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve an amendment to Controlled Access By-law No. #58-87 for a non-commercial access located approximately 667 metres to the north of Coulthard Boulevard on the east side of Regional Road #33 (Townline Road), in the Township of Puslinch, County of Wellington, subject to conditions as outlined in Report PDL-GDS-26-002, dated January 13, 2026.
  3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct and authorize the Regional Solicitor to take the following actions with respect to the expropriation of lands for improvements to Fischer Hallman Road between Bleams Road and Plains Road, in the City of Kitchener, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, as detailed in report PDL-LEG-26-004, dated January 13, 2026.
     1. Complete application(s) to the Council of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, as may be required from time to time, for approval to expropriate land, which is required for improvements to Fischer Hallman Road between Bleams Road and Plains Road, and described as follows:
        Temporary Easement – Grading:
        The right and easement, being a temporary easement in gross, for the free and unobstructed, right, interest and easement terminating, for the subject properties set out below, on the 31st day of December 2028, for itself, its successors and assigns, and anyone authorized by it, on, over, under and through the following property for the purposes of excavation, construction, installation, replacement, alteration, grading, and landscaping as required in connection with the improvements to Fischer Hallman Road between Bleams Road and Plains Road, and all related improvements, and works ancillary thereto and for such purposes, the free, unimpeded and unobstructed access to the lands at all times by employees, agents, contractors, workers and anyone authorized by it, and vehicles, supplies and equipment at all times and for all purposes and things necessary for or incidental to the exercise and enjoyment of the right and easement:
        1. Part of Lot 153, German Company Tract, being Part 1 on 58R-22431, City of Kitchener, part of PIN 22728-0960, (Part of Vacant Land, Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener);
        2. Part of the Common Element, Waterloo Standard Condominium Plan 566, being Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 on 58R-22432, City of Kitchener, part of PINs 23566-0001 to 23566-0276, (1652 – 1696 Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener);
        3. Part of Lot 158, German Company Tract, being Part 7 on 58R-19936, City of Kitchener, part of PIN 22607-2288, (945 Huron Road, Kitchener);
        4. Part of Lot 5, Registrar’s Compiled Plan 1471, being Parts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on 58R-19942, City of Kitchener, part of PIN 22607-2322, (1340 Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener);
        5. Part of Lot 6, Registrar’s Compiled Plan 1471, being Part 1 on 58R-19941, City of Kitchener, part of PIN 22607-2454, (Part of Vacant Land, Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener); and
        6. Part of Lot 156, German Company Tract, being Part 3 on 58R-19941, City of Kitchener, part of PIN 22607-2317, (1548 Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener)
     2. Serve notices of the above applications(s) required by the Expropriations Act (the “Act”);
     3. Forward to the Chief Inquiry Officer any requests for a hearing that may be received within the time prescribed by the Act;
     4. Attend, with appropriate Regional staff, at any hearing that may be scheduled;
     5. Discontinue expropriation proceedings or any part thereof, in respect of the above described lands, or any part thereof, upon the registration on title of the required documentation to complete a transaction whereby the required interests in the lands are conveyed or if otherwise deemed appropriate in the opinion of the Commissioner of Engineering and Environmental Services and the Regional Solicitor; and
     6. Do all things necessary and proper to be done and report thereon to Regional Council in due course.
  4. Whereas in late November 2025, through on-going work and updates to the Water Supply Strategy, Regional staff have identified a water capacity constraint within the Mannheim Service Area, which supplies water to Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot and
     Whereas a Technical Team has been meeting and working diligently since that time to research, understand and address these infrastructure challenges, and
     Whereas the Region of Waterloo staff on an ongoing basis monitors, maintains and updates an annual Asset Management Plan and Master Plans for all regional information including regional water and wastewater infrastructure and
     Whereas the Asset Management Plan “describes the replacement value and physical condition of the Region’ s asset portfolio” and this information is utilized to predict when renewals and repairs will likely be needed’, and 
     Whereas the 2025 Asset Management Plan includes an Asset Condition profile of Water and Wastewater Services (see Appendix A, Figure A.1 of that report), Levels of Service information, a Drinking Water Quality Management System, Expenditure Forecasts and other aspects of the system all of which are all designed and used to ‘…manage risk to the water supply system by identifying possible hazards, assigning risk scores and identifying procedures, process objectives and preventative measures to help assess and mitigate risk to the environment.” And
     Whereas housing and employment developments currently in progress and scheduled to begin or to be completed in 2026 and developments being planned within the next 5 years require information as soon as possible regarding the short, medium and long-term plans for repairing the regional water and wastewater infrastructure,
     Whereas although the Report EES-WAS-26-001indicates that “a more fulsome impact of the capacity issue to the 2026 operating and capital budget is anticipated to be available late Q1 2026”, there is pressing need for area municipalities and the development community to understand the repairs needed and the timelines involved,
     Therefore be it resolved that the timeline for a preliminary list of the short, medium and long-term plans for the necessary infrastructure repairs be made publicly available before the end of January 2026 rather than in late Q1 2026.
  5. Whereas in late November 2025, through on-going work and updates to the Water Supply Strategy, Regional staff have identified a water capacity constraint within the Mannheim Service Area, which supplies water to Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot and
     Whereas a Technical Team has been meeting and working diligently since that time to research, understand and address these infrastructure challenges, and
     Whereas the Report EES-WAS-26-001indicates that ‘…several factors and observations led technical staff to reassess how remaining water capacity was being monitored including “a plateauing of conservation efforts…” and
     Whereas the water conservation efforts referred to in the report do not include the breadth of water conservation opportunities available to municipalities, homeowners, businesses, property owners, property managers and property developers which include but are not limited to, for example, natural assets – more trees, native plants, floodplain protection – the installation of green infrastructure, the adoption of greywater systems, rainwater capture for personal watering, smart irrigation systems, models for more sustainable water practices and an understanding of how technology and smart metering and data analytics can increase water conservation, and
     Whereas municipalities like the Region of Waterloo and other municipalities including area municipalities have the opportunity to provide leadership and direction with robust water conservation policy(ies) and appropriate regulations to support water conservation efforts, and
     Whereas water conservation efforts are required in tandem with the necessary infrastructure repairs and sourcing of new wells in order to ensure a robust water supply now and in the future, 
     Therefore Be It Resolved that staff are directed to report back by the end of Q2 June 2026 with water conservation policy options for the Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development Committee’s and Regional Council’s consideration and
     Further that input from relevant community partners including but not limited to Reep Green Solutions, Sustainable Waterloo Region, Build Urban, the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Association, the Grand River Conservation Authority, Grand River Environmental Network and area municipalities is sought and included in the water conservation policy options proposed.
  6. That Region of Waterloo staff make available to area municipalities, no later than end of January, all raw data that informed and encompasses the Agile Water Supply Peer Review and Assessment Report, and also report to Council by January 28 about also making that data available to industry and other community partners thereafter.  
     Further that in sharing the data and existing information, details also be provided of all budget approved and other planned infrastructure works, along with their respective capacity gains, and associated timing to be brought online for capacity purposes.
  7. That Regional staff report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee in February 2026 on the types of developments and applications subject to Regional advisory comments.

11.1.2

Administration and Finance Committee Summary - January 28, 2026

• Recommended Motion:

  The Administration and Finance Committee recommends as follows:

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo write off accounts receivable in the amount of $113,335.76 for the year ended December 31, 2025, as outlined in Report COR-TRY-26-002 dated January 13, 2026.
  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the expenditure of up to $600,000 from the Public Art Reserve for a permanent public art acquisition at the Kitchener Central Transit Hub.
     And that the funding source for $300,000 earmarked for Public Art related to the Kitchener Central Transit Hub (project 90107) be amended from the approved 2026 Transit capital budget to the general tax supported capital reserve.
  3. That staff be directed to undertake consultations with the arts community, and the public in general, on the creation of a Waterloo Region Arts Council; and
     That staff be directed to report back on the results of the consultation by August 2026.

11.2

Board of Health

11.2.1

Board of Health Update

11.3

Regional Clerk

11.3.1

PDL-CAS-26-001, Review of Council Remuneration, Benefits, and Staff Support

For information.

12.

Other Matters Under Committee Of The Whole

12.1

EES-WIM-26-001, Preliminary Water Capacity Constraint Solutions and Associated Resource Needs

• Recommended Motion:

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the addition of up to nine (9) full time equivalent (FTE) permanent positions to address increased workload related to the Mannheim Service Area water capacity constraint, with current year costs funded by the Water Stabilization Reserve in the approximate amount of $1.2 million. 

13.

Motion for Committee of the Whole to Rise and Council Resume

• Recommended Motion:

  That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume.

14.

Motion To Adopt Proceedings of Committee of the Whole

• Recommended Motion:

  That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole.

15.

Motions where notice has been provided

15.1

Councillor M. Rodrigues, Re: Road Safety Program

Referred from January 13, 2026 Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee meeting.

• Recommended Motion:

  WHEREAS the Road User Safety Program provides comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Regional Roads, with an emphasis on reducing serious collisions involving vulnerable road users including in school zones;

  WHEREAS revenues from Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in school zones would have funded the Road Safety Reserve as a primary funding source for the Road User Safety Program;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Regional staff report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee by Q2 2026 and following wind-down of the ASE program to:

  1. Establish how to allocate the remaining Road Safety Reserve balance to fund school zone road safety initiatives starting in 2026; and
  2. Provide options on how to fund the Road Safety Reserve in future years, including but not limited to sources from transportation user fees and redlight camera revenues.

15.2

Councillor J. Gowing, Re: Bulky Item Collection Frequency Review

• Recommended Motion:

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff be directed to explore alternative service frequency models for the Region’s bulky item collection program, including:

  • Monthly collection;
  • Semi-monthly (every two months) collection;
  • Semi-annual collection;
  • And maintaining the current biweekly model as a baseline comparator.

  And that staff report back to Council with:

  1. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of each model, including projected operational savings, fleet and staffing impacts, contract considerations, and administrative efficiencies.
  2. An assessment of environmental and community impacts, including potential changes to waste diversion, illegal dumping risks, and any required mitigation strategies.
  3. An analysis of resident experience implications, including accessibility and communication requirements.
  4. A recommended optimal scenario based on financial, operational, environmental, and community impacts.
  5. Options for phased implementation, pilot testing, or transition planning should Council consider changing the current service frequency.

15.3

Councillor D. Craig, Re: Continued Election of Regional Chair

• Recommended Motion:

  Whereas the region of Waterloo has a long standing governance model in which the  Regional Chair is elected by the voters of the entire region, providing a direct democratic mandate,

  And where as the Regional Chair presides over decisions affecting all residents of the Region of Waterloo, including taxation, growth management, housing, public health , policing and social services,

  And whereas, the direct election of the Regional Chair enhances accountability, transparency, and public confidence in  regional decision making,

  And whereas, provincially appointed municipal roles reduce the local democratic choice and weaken the principle that municipal governments are creatures of local representation, not provincial discretion,

  And whereas, any change to the method of selecting the Regional Chair should respect local traditions and be undertaken only with the consent of the affected community,

  Therefore Be It Resolved That

  The Council of the Region of Waterloo formally requests the Province of Ontario to affirm and support the continued election of the Regional Chair by the voters of the Region of Waterloo,

  And that the province be requested not to impose or advance legislation that would replaced an elected chair with a provincially appointed position,

  And that the province be further requested to consult with the Region of Waterloo and its area municipalities prior to any proposed changes to the regional governance structure,

  And that a copy of this motion be forwarded to:

  1. The Premier of Ontario;
  2. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing;
  3. The Minister of Finance;
  4. All members of Provincial Parliament representing Waterloo Region; and
  5. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

16.

Notice of Motion

Motions listed will be considered at a future meeting or if notice is waived. 

17.

Unfinished Business

18.

Other Business

18.1

Motion to go into Closed Session - February 7, 2026

• Recommended Motion:

  That a closed meeting of Special Council be held on February 7, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. in the Waterloo County Room, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters:

  1. Receiving information related to identifiable individuals regarding staffing.

19.

Questions

20.

Enactment of By-laws – First, Second & Third Readings

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following by-laws be approved.

20.1

By-law 26-003

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to Amend By-law Number 58-87, as Amended, Being a By-law to Designate and Regulate Controlled-Access Roads (Regional Road #28 – Homer Watson Boulevard, City of Kitchener and Regional Road #33 – Townline Road, City of Cambridge), be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-003, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

20.2

By-law 26-004

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to Appoint an Acting Deputy Clerk, in the absence of the Regional Clerk and Deputy Clerk, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-004, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

20.3

By-law 26-005

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at this Meeting Held on January 28, 2026, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-005, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

21.

Adjourn

• Recommended Motion:

  That the meeting adjourn at 12:25 a.m.