Community and Health Services Committee Minutes

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Council Chambers

Members Present:

• K. Redman, 
• D. Craig, 
• R. Deutschmann, 
• J. Erb, 
• S. Foxton, 
• M. Harris, 
• C. Huinink, 
• C. James, 
• J. Liggett, 
• D. McCabe, 
• J. Nowak, 
• N. Salonen, 
• S. Shantz, 
• K. Williams, 
• and P. Wolf 

Members Absent:

• B. Vrbanovic 

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

---

1.

Call to Order

Chair J. Erb called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Chair J. Erb provided a land acknowledgement.

3.

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

None declared.

4.

Presentations

None.

5.

Delegations

Chair J. Erb noted that the delegation withdrew their registration.

6.

Consent Agenda

There was a request to remove item 6.1.1. from the Consent Agenda.

6.1

Strategic Priority - Homes for All

6.1.1

CSD-HOU-24-001, Affordable Housing– Refinancing Policy Framework Review

In response to the Committee, Ryan Pettipiere, Director, Housing Services, clarified that Staff are proposing that Affordable Housing projects funded through the Regional Municipality of Waterloo be set to a total encumbrance of ninety per cent (90%) to be consistent with the refinancing policies of the Federal and Provincial governments. He noted that the benefit of creating additional affordable housing via the proposed refinancing policy outweigh the potential risk. 

Staff and the Committee confirmed that the language under the Proposed Revisions to the Refinancing Policy Framework section of the report be amended to "shall" from the current language of "may" under number six.

J. Liggett joined the meeting at 9:05 AM. ()

R. Deutschmann left the meeting at 9:06 AM. ()

R. Deutschmann joined the meeting at 9:06 AM. ()

D. Craig joined the meeting at 9:06 AM. ()

S. Foxton joined the meeting at 9:17 AM. ()

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by P. Wolf

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to proposed housekeeping amendments to the Refinancing Policy Framework as outlined in CSD-HOU-24-001, dated January 16, 2024:

  1. Approve the total encumbrances as set out in the Refinancing Policy Framework be ninety per cent (90%) for Affordable Housing projects funded through The Regional Municipality of Waterloo and for which agreements permit secondary financing;
  2. Authorize the Commissioner of Community Services and Chief Financial Officer to execute agreements and documentation in a form satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor to give effect to a refinancing approved in accordance with Report CSD-HOU-24-001.

  In Favor (13)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, R. Deutschmann, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink

  Carried (13 to 0)

7.

Regular Agenda

7.1

Strategic Priority - Equitable Services and Opportunities

7.1.1

PHP-IDS-24-001, 2023 Infectious Diseases Mobile Outreach Clinical Services

Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner of Public Health & Paramedic Services/Medical Officer of Health, introduced David Aoki, Director of Infectious Disease/Chief Nursing Officer, and Amber White, Manager of Infectious Disease & Sexual Health. D. Aoki provided a brief overview of the 2023 Infectious Diseases Mobile Outreach Clinical Services, specifically that this program was established to provide local services to equity deserving communities. The mobile services provided include: vaccinations, harm reduction, and pre-natal health supports. Due to the success of this pilot project, Public Health has approved ongoing and expanded mobile outreach for clinical services using the Neighbourhood Nursing Program initiative framework.

The Committee thanked Regional Public Health Staff for their continued efforts of improving access to Regional services for local communities. 

8.

Information/Correspondence

8.1

Council/Committee Tracking List

8.2

Correspondence

9.

Other Business

9.1

Notice of Motion - Councillor N. Salonen 

N. Salonen provided an explanation for the proposed motion, specifically that the Building Code has necessary requirements including wastewater management and that the shelter was a two year pilot project. 

In response to the Committee, P. Sweeney confirmed that the 1001 Erb's Rd. shelter could be included in the Interim Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in a certain capacity. Given that information, N. Salonen accepted a minor amendment to her proposed motion to direct Staff to bring back a report as a part of the interim Plan to End Chronic Homelessness by the end of Spring instead of May 2024. 

The Committee discussed the merits and potential issues with the proposed motion. 

N. Salonen emphasized that the proposed motion was introduced to ensure that there is adequate time to create a plan for relocation of the shelter residents prior to the conclusion of the two year pilot project in April of 2025.

D. McCabe joined the meeting at 9:26 AM. ()

K. Williams joined the meeting at 9:52 AM. ()

• Moved by R. Deutschmann
  Seconded by D. Craig

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo defer the motion discussed under item 6.1.1 following the receipt of a Staff report in consultation with Wilmot Staff on Wastewater matters.

  In Favor (3)	D. McCabe, D. Craig, and R. Deutschmann
  Opposed (11)	J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink

  Defeated (3 to 11)
• Moved by N. Salonen
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  Whereas Regional staff have requested $3M added to the 2024 budget to create a second Hybrid Shelter in the Region; and

  Whereas the current 1001 Erb's road shelter was given 2 years to operate using the current wastewater management solution which in the Building Code is defined as an interim solution; and

  Whereas Regional staff identified in November 2023 that there currently is not a plan for how to effectively wind down this shelter site; and 

  Whereas it is reasonable to assume that with no plan to relocate, when the timeline for operating comes to a close, it will have adverse impacts to the residents using its services; and

  Whereas the individual physical shelters at 1001 Erbs are moveable;

  Therefore be it resolved that staff be directed to work with the Shelter operator on a wind down plan that has this shelter relocated, along with it's residents at the time of relocation, to an appropriate location no later than April of 2025; and 

  Further, that staff bring a report to council with this plan and new potential identified locations no later than May of 2024 as a part of the interim Plan to End Chronic Homelessness by the end of Spring 2024 for input and final endorsement from council. 

  In Favor (5)	J. Nowak, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, and N. Salonen
  Opposed (10)	J. Erb, K. Redman, M. Harris, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, R. Deutschmann, C. Huinink, and K. Williams

  Defeated (5 to 10)

9.2

Additional Business

In response to the Committee, R. Pettipiere explained that there are emergency shelters for overnight use for those suffering from homelessness and there are several warming spaces available throughout the Region during the days and weekends, however, there are no overnight warming spaces available due to funding and Staffing. He further explained that if there was to be an expansion of emergency shelters or the extension of warming spaces operating hours then Council would have several considerations including budgetary and Staff availability. 

10.

Next Meeting - February 6, 2024

The next Community and Health Services meeting will be February 6, 2024.

11.

Adjourn

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by D. McCabe

  That the meeting adjourn at 10:23 a.m.

  In Favor (15)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, R. Deutschmann, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, and K. Williams

  Carried (15 to 0)