Planning and Works Committee Minutes

-
Council Chambers
Members Present:
  • K. Redman, 
  • D. Craig, 
  • J. Erb, 
  • S. Foxton, 
  • M. Harris, 
  • C. Huinink, 
  • C. James, 
  • J. Liggett, 
  • D. McCabe, 
  • J. Nowak, 
  • N. Salonen, 
  • S. Shantz, 
  • B. Vrbanovic, 
  • and P. Wolf 
Members Absent:
  • R. Deutschmann 
  • and K. Williams 

Should you require an alternative format or a copy of the official minutes please contact the Regional Clerk at Tel.: 519-575-4400, TTY: 519-575-4605, or regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca

1.
Call to Order

 

Chair C. James called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

2.
Land Acknowledgement

 

Chair C. James provided a land acknowledgement.

3.
Declarations of Pecuniary Interest under the “Municipal Conflict of Interest Act”

 

None declared.

4.
Presentations

 

There were no presentations.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations. 

6.
Consent Agenda

 

Item 6.1.2 TSD-TRS-24-005, Grand River Transit - Ridership Update - 2023 Year End was removed from the consent agenda. 

  • Moved byN. Salonen
    Seconded byC. Huinink

    That the Consent Agenda items be received for information and approved.

    In Favor (14)B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink
    Carried (14 to 0)

6.1
Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

 

6.1.1
EES-WMS-24-001, Blue Box Transition Details Update

 

This report was received for information. 

6.1.2
TSD-TRS-24-005, Grand River Transit - Ridership Update - 2023 Year End

 

Responding to questions from the Committee, Doug Spooner, Director Transit Services, confirmed that the goal of 2.5% for MobilityPLUS undelivered trips is still the set target for 2024 and that Grand River Transit is now up to their full complement of pre-pandemic MobilityPLUS operators. D. Spooner also shared that staff will be returning to the Committee in April regarding MobilityPLUS software and its ability to manage bookings and trips. 

In response to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner confirmed that printed schedules are available at Grand River Transit Customer Service Centres. 

This report was received for information. 

7.
Regular Agenda

 

7.1
Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

 

7.1.1
EES-WAS-24-003, 2023 Drinking Water Summary Report, Quality Management System Review and Infrastructure Maintenance Plan (Staff Presentation)

This item has attachments. 
1.Staff Presentation - Water Operations Annual Summary Report.pdf

Jennifer Rose, Commissioner, Engineering and Environmental Services introduced the report, noting that this is a mandated report under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

Mari MacNeil, Director, Water and Wastewater Services, provided a presentation, which included an overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act standard of care, 2024 external audit, and capacity to support housing. 

A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes. 

Responding to questions from the Committee, J. Rose noted that staff are determining which projects may be eligible for the Housing-Enabling Water System fund, and that staff can share with Council which projects are being reviewed for eligibility. 

In response to a question from the Committee, M. MacNeil confirmed that outreach and education programs are being looked at, which includes programming focused on newcomers to the area to increase their understanding on the reliability and cleanliness of the Region's drinking water. M. MacNeil also noted that staff can work on arranging Water and Wastewater tours for Council. 

  • Moved byJ. Erb
    Seconded byD. McCabe

    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo endorse the following items as outlined in report EES-WAS-24-003 dated March 5, 2024:

    1. the 2023 Drinking Water Summary Report;
    2. the 2023 Management Review of the Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS) (included in Drinking Water Summary Report); and
    3. the 2023 infrastructure maintenance plan update (included in Drinking Water Summary Report).
    In Favor (14)B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink
    Carried (14 to 0)

7.1.2
EES-WAS-24-004, Servicing of Petersburg (Knipfel) Drinking Water System

 

J. Rose introduced the report, noting that the Township of Wilmot will be responsible for the water distribution and the Region will be responsible for the water treatment, and that the additional position will support the work within the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. 

Responding to questions from the Committee, J. Rose confirmed that the funding for the position will be from water rates, and that it was not introduced during the 2024 budget, as the orders to be responsible for the water treatment were received in January, after budget confirmation.

  • Moved byP. Wolf
    Seconded byS. Shantz

    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo create a new full time equivalent position for a Regulatory and Program Assistant in the Water Operations team within the Water and Wastewater Services Division as outlined in report EES-WAS-24-004, dated March 5, 2024.

    In Favor (14)B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink
    Carried (14 to 0)

8.
Information/Correspondence

 

8.1
Council/Committee Tracking List

 

Received for information. 

9.
Other Business

 

None.

10.
Next Meeting - April 9, 2024

 

11.
Adjourn

 
D. Craig left the meeting at 9:28 AM. ()
  • Moved byP. Wolf
    Seconded byN. Salonen

    That the meeting adjourn at 9:29 a.m.

    In Favor (13)B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink
    Carried (13 to 0)
No Item Selected