Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Council
Addendum Agenda

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Regular Session:

6:30 P.m. - 8:30 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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Council will consider a motion to go into Closed Session at the start of the meeting. The Open Session will resume following Closed at approximately 7:00 p.m.

1.

Call to Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

3.

Motion to go into Closed Session

• Recommended Motion:

  That a closed meeting of the Council be held on November 20, 2024 at 6:35 p.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. Personal matters about identifiable individuals regarding nominations for the Jack Young Civic Award

4.

Motion to Reconvene into Open Session

• Recommended Motion:

  That Council reconvene into Open Session.

5.

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

6.

Presentations

6.1

2023 Water Efficiency Excellence Award

7.

Petitions

8.

Delegations

8.1

Karen Spencer, Side by Side Collaborative

re: working together to improve the services offered to low resourced parents and their young children

8.2

John Anderson, South Waterloo Naval Veteran's Association

re: Lifetime Bus Pass Motion 

8.3

Maedith Radlein, Kitchener

re: Community Safety & Wellbeing Plan 

8.4

Steven Harrison, Tri-County Mennonite Homes

re: Development Charge related to building of not-for-profit long-term care home

8.5

Linda Laepple, Wilmot

re: Source water protection and regional growth challenges

8.6

Patty Clarke, Wilmot

Re: Land Assembly project in Wilmot Township 

9.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following minutes be approved.

9.1

Closed Jack Young - October 2, 2024

9.2

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - October 16, 2024

9.3

Closed Strategic Planning and Budget Public Input Committee - October 16, 2024

9.4

Special Council - October 23, 2024

9.5

Closed Council - October 23, 2024

9.6

Council - October 23, 2024

9.7

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - October 30th, 2024

9.8

Library Committee - October 31, 2024

9.9

Closed Library Committee - October 31, 2024

9.10

Community and Health Services Committee - November 5, 2024

9.11

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee - November 5, 2024

9.12

Closed Committee - November 5, 2024

9.13

Administration and Finance Committee - November 5, 2024

9.14

Closed Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - November 6, 2024

9.15

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - November 6, 2024

9.16

Strategic Planning and Budget Public Input Committee - November 6, 2024

10.

Communications

10.1

Council Information Package - November 13, 2024 (Distributed to Councillors Electronically) 

10.2

Correspondence - John Ariens, New Hamburg

10.3

Mike Doherty

re: Letter to Regional Council on improving pedestrian safety by reducing crossing distance

10.4

Tim Osland, Chair of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee for the Region of Waterloo

Re: Bill 212 Concerns

11.

Motion to Go Into Committee of the Whole to Consider Reports

• Recommended Motion:

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

12.

Reports

12.1

Finance Reports

12.1.1

COR-CFN-24-023, Tri-Country Mennonite Care Home – Grant Request

• Recommended Motion:

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take no action on the request of Tri-County Mennonite Homes regarding the grant request for the long-term care home, as described in Report COR-CFN-24-023.

12.2

Committee Reports

12.2.1

Library Committee Summary - October 31, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following recommendation from the Library Committee be approved:

  1. That the Library Committee directs staff to provide a report on the potential costs and benefits of transferring the Region of Waterloo Library branches to the respective Townships.
     
     And that Township Staff be consulted in the evaluation process.

12.2.2

Community and Health Services Committee Summary - November 5, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following recommendation from the Community and Health Services Committee be approved:

  1. WHEREAS the Canada Disability Benefit Act received royal assent in June, 2023 with a commitment to begin providing payments for the Canada Disability Benefit to eligible Canadians starting in July 2025, following successful completion of the regulatory process and consultations with persons with disabilities.
     
     WHEREAS the  Canada Disability Benefit is expected to be $200/month to eligible recipients.
     
     WHEREAS the Low Income Measure (LIM) is used by Statistics Canada to define the poverty line was $2,330/month in 2022.
     
     WHEREAS the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Waterloo Region in 2023 was $1,359/month.
     
     Be it resolved that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo call on the Province of Ontario to raise, or at least maintain, ODSP rates for qualified individuals once the new Canada Disability Benefit begins in 2025.
     
     And that the motion be circulated to area municipalities and AMO.

12.2.3

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee Summary - November 5, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

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

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the installation of an All-Way Stop Control at the intersection of Fischer-Hallman Road (Regional Road 58) and Roseville Road (Regional Road 46), and amend the Region’s Traffic and Parking By-law 16-023, as required, to include the following:
     • Remove from Schedule 12, Intersection Stop Signs on Fischer-Hallman Road (Regional Road 58) at Roseville Road (Regional Road 46) Southbound
     • Remove from Schedule 12, Intersection Stop Signs on Fischer-Hallman Road (Regional Road 58) at Roseville Road (Regional Road 46) Southbound
       in the Township of North Dumfries, as outlined in Report TSD-TRP-24-013 dated November 5, 2024.
  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo reduce the posted speed limit along Weber Street from Allen Street to 20 m south of King Street to 50 km/hr, in the City of Waterloo, by amending the Traffic and Parking By-Law 16-023, required, to remove from Schedule 17, Maximum Speed 60 km/hr on Weber Street (Regional Road 8) between Allen Street to 20 m South of King Street (Regional Road 15) in the City of Waterloo as outlined in Report TSD-TRP-24-014, dated November 5, 2024.
     
     
  3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the current preferred alternative designs for the following corridors as outlined in report TSD-TRP-24-015 dated November 5, 2024:
     • King Street – between University Avenue and Weber Street N
     • University Avenue – between Westmount Road and Albert Street
     • Bridgeport Road – between Lancaster Street and Lang Crescent
     • Bridgeport Road – between Goldbeck Lane and Albert St
     • Caroline St – Between Albert St and Erb St W
     • Erb Street E – between Caroline Street and Goldbeck Lane
       
       
  4. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the proposed pedestrian bridge over the Conestogo River on the Kissing Bridge Trailway as set out in report EES-DCS-24-007, dated November 5, 2024:
     1. Amend the Draft 2025-2034 Transportation Capital Program by advancing the construction timing of the Guelph to Goderich Bridge 2 – Conestogo River Crossing project #07622 to 2025/2026 and amend the budget to $500,000 in 2025 and $7,500,000 in 2026 to be funded from provincial grant funding ($4,000,000), municipal and third party financing ($3,500,000) and levy supported debentures ($500,000);
     2. Authorize the Region to enter into an agreement with the County of Wellington stipulating that the County will not bear costs in relation to the proposed bridge;
     3. Authorize the Region to enter into funding agreements with the Township of Wellesley and a community member;
     4. Direct Staff to initiate the environmental assessment immediately after the Township of Wellesley funding agreement is finalized;
     5. Direct Staff to return to Council for further direction on whether or not to proceed with the project in the event that the net share of Region costs is anticipated to exceed $500,000; and
     6. Approve a new FTE in Design and Construction for a project manager 2- year contract position to lead this project and avoid the need for deferrals of other projects within the Transportation Capital Program.
        
        
  5. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the commencement of the process to transfer Township of Wilmot’s portion of:
     • Oxford Road 5, lying between Punkeydoodles Ave/ Oxford Road 24/ Perth-Oxford Road (Regional Road No. 1) and Oxford-Waterloo Road (4.7 centerline kms)
     • Road 101 A, lying between Perth Road 101 and Punkeydoodles Ave/ Oxford Road 24/ Perth-Oxford Road (0.1 centerline kms), and
     • Perth Road 101, lying between Road 101 A and Concession Road (0.27 centerline kms)
       
       from the Township of Wilmot to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo as described in report TRS-TRP-24-016, dated November 5, 2024:
       1. Provide notice to the public of the proposed transfer of the above noted three road segments from the Township of Wilmot in accordance with the Region’s Notice Policy;
       2. Commence the process to amend the Road Consolidation By-Law 01-059 (Regional Road System) to assume the above noted three road segments from the Township of Wilmot, effective upon passing of the by-law;
       3. Commence the process to amend Traffic and Parking By-law 16-023 to reflect the addition of existing traffic regulations on the section of road to be assumed by the Region of Waterloo; and
       4. Approve an upset limit of $200,000 for the Region’s share of works related to safety improvements at the Punkeydoodles intersection.

12.2.4

Administration and Finance Committee Summary - November 5, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following recommendations from the Administration and Finance Committee be approved:

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approves the By-Law and Code of Conduct for the Region’s Lobbyist Registry as outlined in report PDL-CAS-24-006 dated November 5, 2024
  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the 2024 third quarter update as set out in report COR-CFN-24-021 dated November 5, 2024:  

  1. Receive the 2024 Third Quarter Update that shows implementation and financial progress towards delivery on the Region’s Annual Business Plan, in support of achieving the vision set out by Council in the Growing with Care 2023-2027 Strategic Plan; and 
  2. Amend the 2024 Capital Budget and 2025-2035 Capital Forecast as set out in Appendix D.

12.2.5

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee Summary - November 6, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following recommendations from the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee be approved:

  1. Whereas the City of Toronto and Queens Park have reached a historic agreement to ease Toronto's ongoing budget crisis,
     And whereas the agreement includes the uploading of the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway,
     And whereas the province will deliver 9 billion dollars to the city over the next ten years,
     And whereas Ottawa has been gifted $543 million dollars to be split between cash for capital projects and ongoing operating expenses, 
     Therefore be it resolved that the Region of Waterloo ask through the Regional Chair's office that our five area MPP's work in concert to request a fair and equitable monetary deal,
     And that this agreement be reflective of those reached between Queens Park and the cities of Toronto and Ottawa.
     And that this resolution be shared with the area municipalities.

12.3

Board of Health

12.3.1

Board of Health Update

13.

Other Matters Under Committee Of The Whole

13.1

PDL-GDS-24-019, Bill 23 Update

For information.

14.

Motion for Committee of the Whole to Rise and Council Resume

• Recommended Motion:

  That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume.

15.

Motion To Adopt Proceedings of Committee of the Whole

• Recommended Motion:

  That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole.

16.

Motions where notice has been provided

16.1

Councillor R. Deutschmann - Notice of Motion

Re: Cycling lanes in Ontario

• Recommended Motion:

  Whereas the Government of Ontario has announced legislation requiring provincial approval for new cycling lanes that would remove vehicular traffic lanes;

  And whereas this legislation would compel municipalities to demonstrate that proposed cycling lanes will not negatively impact vehicle traffic;

  And whereas cycling infrastructure is crucial for urban transportation planning, road safety, and public health, and provincial oversight in this matter represents an unwarranted intrusion into municipal authority;

  And whereas the Region of Waterloo has developed a comprehensive active transportation plan to enhance walking and cycling facilities;

  And whereas the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has strongly criticized this proposed legislation as a "significant overreach" into municipal jurisdiction;

  And whereas the AMO has stated that none of its 444 member municipalities were consulted or shown evidence justifying the province's proposed veto power over new bike lanes;

  Therefore, be it resolved:

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo strongly opposes the proposed provincial legislation governing bicycle lanes and affirms its support for maintaining municipal jurisdiction over cycling infrastructure decisions.
  2. That the Region of Waterloo endorses the AMO's position that municipalities are better positioned than the Ministry of Transportation to make decisions about local transportation matters based on local knowledge and community input.
  3. That the Region of Waterloo calls on the Government of Ontario to withdraw the proposed legislation and respect the established authority of municipalities to make informed decisions about local transportation needs, including the implementation of cycling lanes.
  4. That the Region of Waterloo reaffirms its commitment to its active transportation plan and the continued development of safe, efficient cycling infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.
  5. That the Regional Clerk be directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Transportation, all Members of Provincial Parliament representing constituencies within the Region of Waterloo.
  6. That the Region of Waterloo calls upon other municipalities across Ontario to adopt similar resolutions in defense of local decision-making authority and sustainable transportation planning.

16.2

Councillor C. James - Notice of Motion

• Recommended Motion:

  Whereas the Regional Municipality currently has a program which allows for Veterans aged 65 and over to apply for a lifetime GRT pass for unlimited use of the transit system in Waterloo Region; 

  And whereas the current program leaves out widowers and spouses from this program as well as veterans under 65;  

  And whereas providing spouses of war veterans 65 and older the ability to utilize the transit service to access programs and services, thus limiting isolation and promoting health and wellness for individuals often on a fixed income, assists in providing them a peace of mind;

  Therefore, be it resolved that Regional Municipality of Waterloo include a thorough review of the current veterans pass as part of current GRT Business Plan to ensure program equity and proper scope. The review will include estimated budget requirement for administration and operational costs should the program be updated or refined.

16.3

Councillor R. Deutschmann - Notice of Motion

re: Use of the Notwithstanding Clause in Ontario Municipalities

• Recommended Motion:

  Whereas mayors from several Ontario municipalities have recently petitioned the Premier of Ontario to invoke the notwithstanding clause in relation to proposed measures addressing mental health, addiction, and homelessness;

  And whereas the notwithstanding clause is designed to suspend the application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

  And whereas the Charter is intended to protect the fundamental rights of all Canadian citizens, without exception;

  And whereas Section 7 of the Charter guarantees everyone the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice;

  And whereas the application of Section 7 of the Charter to issues concerning encampments and individuals living in temporary shelters was affirmed in the decision of Justice Valente in The Regional Municipality of Waterloo v. Persona Unknown and to be Ascertained, 2023 ONSC 670;

  And whereas individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders are among the most vulnerable members of our society, deserving of protection and support rather than further marginalization;

  Therefore be it resolved that:

  1. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo strongly opposes the use of the notwithstanding clause by the Government of Ontario in connection with any legislation that would facilitate the eviction or displacement of encampment residents.
  2. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo affirms that all individuals, regardless of their housing status or personal circumstances, are entitled to the full protection of their Charter rights.
  3. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo recognizes that addressing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction requires compassionate, evidence-based solutions that respect the dignity and rights of all individuals.
  4. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo calls upon the provincial government to work collaboratively with municipalities, health experts, and community organizations to develop comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction, while upholding the Charter rights of all citizens.
  5. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo commits to advocating for increased funding and support for affordable housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment programs as more effective and humane alternatives to encampment evictions.

  And that this motion be distributed to the Ontario government, specifically the Premier of Ontario, the Attorney General, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Finance Minister and the Minister of Health

17.

Notice of Motion

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

18.

Unfinished Business

19.

Other Business

20.

Questions

21.

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

• Recommended Motion:

  That the following by-laws be approved.

21.1

By-law 24-042

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to Amend By-law 16-023, as amended, being a By-law to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways Under the Jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Accessible Parking, Pedestrian Crossovers, Through Highways, Intersection Stop Signs, Lane Designations, Rates of Speed), be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 24-042, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

21.2

By-law 24-043

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to establish and maintain a Lobbyist Registry, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 24-043, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

21.3

By-law 24-044

• Recommended Motion:

  That a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at this Meeting Held on November 20, 2024, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 24-044, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

22.

Adjourn

• Recommended Motion:

  That the meeting adjourn at x:xx x.m.