Regional Council Minutes

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.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, 
• B. Vrbanovic, 
• K. Williams, 
• and P. Wolf 

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

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1.

Call to Order

Regional Chair K. Redman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Regional Chair K. Redman provided a land acknowledgement.

4.

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

None declared.

5.

Presentations

None.

6.

Petitions

None.

7.

Delegations

7.1

Shanon Kerr, Waterloo

S. Kerr provided a presentation outlining her concerns with the public messaging with respect to Covid-19. She stressed the importance of recognizing that Covid-19 is airborne, and properly protecting workers and the public. A copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes. 

J. Nowak joined the meeting at 7:03 PM. ()

7.2

Auntie Ken:ni and Chestnut Seppala, Survivor Secretariat

Auntie Ken:ni and Chestnut Seppala appeared before Council to request that the Region share various reports and environmental data, including water and air quality reports, with the Survivor Secretariat. They stressed that sharing this information would allow the community to have the necessary information that they need to enable good decision making. 

7.3

Nabil Kohistani

N. Kohistani provided a presentation on the homeless crisis in Waterloo Region. A copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes. He encouraged the Region to look at changing the housing market through inclusionary zoning and creating more programs similar to the YW-Blockline site. 

7.4

Myron D Steinman

M. Steinman appeared before Council to express his concerns with the increase to the police budget. 

Council recessed at 7:24 p.m. and reconvened at 10:46 p.m.

8.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

• Moved by J. Erb
  Seconded by C. James

  That Council extends the time of adjournment of the meeting to 12:00 a.m.

  Carried (15 to 1)
• Moved by P. Wolf
  Seconded by J. Erb

  That the following minutes be approved.

  Carried

8.1

Closed Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - January 18, 2023

8.2

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - January 18, 2023

8.3

Strategic Planning and Budget Public Input Committee - January 18, 2023

8.4

Closed Council - January 25, 2023

8.5

Council - January 25, 2023

8.6

Special Council - January 30, 2023

8.7

Closed Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - February 1, 2023

8.8

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - February 1, 2023

8.9

Special Council - February 1, 2023

8.10

Closed Special Council - February 1, 2023

8.11

Closed Committee - February 7, 2023

8.12

Administration and Finance Committee - February 7, 2023

8.13

Planning and Works Committee - February 7, 2023

8.14

Community and Health Services Committee - February 7, 2023

8.15

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - February 8, 2023

8.16

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee - Public Input - February 8, 2023

8.17

Library Committee - February 9, 2023

9.

Communications

9.1

Council Information Package - February 15, 2023 (Distributed to Councillors Electronically) 

Received for information.

10.

Motion to Go Into Committee of the Whole to Consider Reports

• Moved by M. Harris
  Seconded by D. McCabe

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

  Carried (16 to 0)

11.

Reports

11.1

Finance Reports

11.1.1

COR-TRY-23-006, Federation of Canadian Municipalities Debentures – Membrane Aerated Biofilm Upgrades at the Hespeler Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Received for information

11.2

Committee Reports

11.2.1

Administration and Finance Committee Summary - February 7, 2023

• Moved by D. McCabe
  Seconded by C. James
  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve, for the duration of this term of Council, the Region’s continued membership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the payment of associated annual membership fees subject to annual budget approval, as set out in Report COR-TRY-23-004 dated February 7, 2023.
  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the King-Victoria Transit Hub as outlined in Report COR-FFM-2- dated February 7, 2023:
     1. Authorize the Commissioner, Corporate Services to enter into an amended cost sharing agreement with Metrolinx to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor for Phase 1 of the King-Victoria Transit Hub project;
     2. Enter into an Agreement with WZMH Architects to complete consulting services for the realignment and roadway reallocation of Victoria Street and for additional scope related to the Phase 1 detailed design at an upset limit fee of $450,000 plus all applicable taxes.
  3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take no action with respect to the All Saints Anglican Church request for $288,441 for the construction of a community centre as outlined in report COR-ADM-23-001 dated February 7, 2023.
  4. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to camera based traffic enforcement programs and processing administration as set out in report PDL-LEG-23-007 dated February 7, 2023:
     1. Issue a joint Request for Information on behalf of collaborating municipalities for the development and implementation of an adjudicative case management system required for a Regional administrative penalties system; and
     2. Authorize the Regional Solicitor to establish a Regional administrative penalties system for camera-based offences pursuant to Ontario Regulation 355/22, Administrative Penalties for Contraventions Detected Using Camera Systems, including preparation of the necessary bylaws and agreements with the Province, and to report back on associated staff resources and budget requirements; and
     3. Direct staff to investigate the feasibility of accelerating the currently planned 2023 Automated Speed Enforcement Program to achieve a total of 32 sites in 2023 and report back to Council in the Spring; and
     4. Direct staff to present a roadmap for a rapid implementation plan to expand automated speed enforcement to all school zones across the Region aligned with upcoming strategic planning, including costing for the infrastructure, addition of cameras, and programming of the camera technology, market capacity to respond, staff resources and budgets and administrative capacity required as well as options for increasing processing capacity;
     5. That staff be directed to report back by the second quarter of 2023 with: a) a plan for the creation, costing, and funding of a Region of Waterloo processing centre; and b) information on potential third party providers of this service;
     6. That staff undertake workshops with Township staff in March and April 2023 to identify specific traffic calming problem statements and implementation of possible solutions, including road redesign, beginning in summer 2023; and
     7. That staff be directed to investigate the expansion of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program to include community safety zones, including to the entire Region.
  5. Whereas the Police Budget is the single largest line in the Region of Waterloo's operating budget;
     Whereas the Police Services Act gives the Police Board exclusive authority to decide the detailed composition of the Budget and the Region of Waterloo can only either accept or reject the Police budget in its entirety;
     And Whereas this budgeting arrangement is best managed between the Board and the Council on a collaborative basis;
     Whereas the community needs an opportunity to provide input before the budget is finalized;
     And Whereas it was until recently the practice that the Board and Chief would present their budget to Council prior to the Boards final budget approval;
     And Whereas this new practice works counter to the preferred collaborative approach;Therefore Be it resolved that the Region of Waterloo Council respectfully request that the Waterloo Regional Police Service Chief of Police:
     1. Return to its past practice and present its draft annual budget to Regional Council, area municipalities, and to the community to allow time for both the Regional Council and the community to review and to provide comments prior to the Waterloo Regional Police Service Board finalizing its annual budget; and
     2. Ensure that a community engagement process be included in the development of the annual budget prior to presenting its draft annual budget to Regional Council
  Carried (16 to 0)

11.2.2

Planning and Works Committee Summary - February 7, 2023

• Moved by J. Erb
  Seconded by S. Shantz

  1.    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 the remaining Farmers Market Trail Construction (Northfield Drive West from the railway corridor to the Northfield Drive / Parkside Drive intersection), in the City of Waterloo, as outlined in PDL-LEG-23-006, dated February 7, 2023.

  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 construction and access of the multi-use trail along Northfield Drive West from the railway corridor to the Northfield Drive / Parkside Drive intersection, in the City of Waterloo, and described as follows:

  Fee Simple Partial Taking:

  
  i.    Part of Lot 10, German Company Tract, being Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 on 58R-21590, (Part of PIN 22281-0356 (LT)), City of Waterloo, Regional Municipality of Waterloo (580 Weber Street North, Waterloo).

  
  Temporary Easement – Grading:
   
  The right and easement, being a temporary easement in gross, for the free and unobstructed, right, interest and easement terminating on the 31st day of December, 2024, 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 construction and access of the multi-use trail along Northfield Drive West from the railway corridor to the Northfield Drive / Parkside Drive intersection, 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:

  
  ii.    Part of Lot 10, German Company Tract, being Part 3 on 58R-21590, (Part of PIN 22281-0356 (LT)), City of Waterloo, Regional Municipality of Waterloo (580 Weber Street North, Waterloo).

  
  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.

   

  2.    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo lower the posted speed limit on New Dundee Road from 80 km/h to 60 km/h from 400 metres west of Robert Ferrie Drive to 550 metres west of Homer Watson Boulevard at the completion of the proposed roundabout at Robert Ferrie Drive currently planned for 2024, in the City of Kitchener, as outlined in Report, dated February 7, 2023.

  
  3.    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the next contract for curbside waste collection as set out in report EES-WMS-23-003, dated February 7, 2023:

  1. 1.  Maintain existing service levels and collection frequencies for garbage, organics, bulky and large metal items, yard waste and Christmas trees for single-family homes, duplexes, 3 to 6 unit buildings, and multi-family units and townhouses that meet truck-access criteria
     2. Convert to automated cart collection for garbage and green bin organics. (Items such as bulky or large metal items, yard waste and Christmas trees will continue to be collected manually)
     3. Include requirements for alternative fuel sources for collection vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
     4. Change the current service level of a five day collection week to a four day collection week (Tuesday to Friday); and,

  That staff be directed to examine the level of service for curbside waste collection for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) properties that currently receive curbside collection and report back to Committee with options for consideration.

   

  Carried (16 to 0)

11.2.3

Strategic Planning and Budget Committee Summary - February 22, 2023

B. Vrbanovic requested that item 11 on the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee be taken separately and on a recorded vote. 

• Moved by M. Harris
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  The Strategic Planning and Budget Committee recommends as follows:

  1. That staff be directed to consider, in the upcoming MobilityPlus Business Plan review, the option of allowing for specialized mobility service between urban and rural municipalities.

   

  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo endorse the proposed Public Transit service changes as set out in the Preliminary 2023 Grand River Transit Budget and as further described in report TSD-TRS-23-003, dated February 7, 2023, including:

  • The addition of 41,400 net annual transit service hours in 2023 at an incremental 2023 property tax levy impact of $3,518,000 ($4,897,000 annualized), serving over 440,000 projected additional annual rides.
  • The implementation of the Cambridge network redesign by Fall 2023
  • The extension of the Route 79 Breslau pilot to the end of 2023
  • The removal of two low-ridership transit routes (2 and 73) and the redeployment of those resources to service restoration and new service implementation.

  4. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve a 2.5% general public transit fare increase effective July 1, 2023 as set out in the preliminary 2023 Public Transit Operating Budget with respect to Grand River Transit fares as set out in report TSD-TRS-23-004, dated February 7, 2023.

   

  5. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo endorse the continuation of the affordable transit program (ATP) that provides a discount on fares for individuals and families whose income falls below the existing threshold of 15% above the poverty line as measured by Statistics Canada for a community in Ontario greater than 500,000 persons, as set out in report TSD-TRS-23-004, dated February 7, 2023.

  6. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the 2023 Grants Budget:

  1. 1. Increase the preliminary 2023 Budget for Grants to Organizations by $82,000 to reflect the 2022 approved level of funding;
     2. Direct staff to report back to Committee with respect to 2023 grant allocations in accordance with each program’s defined decision-making criteria and approval process as outlined in the Grant Policy approved by Council on August 9, 2022
     3. Direct staff to report back to Committee with an end-of year summary of 2023 grant funding allocations;
     4. Direct staff to report back to Committee on the proposed timing and process for all 2024 grant programs, including the development of new programs;
     5. Take no action with respect to the request for one-time funding for the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony as previously outlined in report PDL-CUL-23-001 dated February 7, 2023; and
     6. Refer all new requests for grant funding to processes outlined in the grant policy as approved by Council on August 9, 2022.

  7. That Regional Municipality of Waterloo remove project 43109 for the Regional Bunker from the 10-year Capital Budget and Forecast.

  8. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve a contribution from the Rural Mobility Plus reserve in the amount of $400,000 in order to reduce the 2023 property tax levy by an equivalent amount.

  9. That staff be directed to return waste receptacles to all GRT transit stations where they were removed from and that any operating costs associated with this be charged to the waste management operation.

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo repeal By-law 21-072 (A By-law to Establish Fees and Charges for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo), By-law 21-067 (A By-law to Amend the Wholesale Rates), By-law 21-068 (A By-law to Impose the Regional Sewage Rate), By-law 21-069 (A By-law to Impose a Water Service Rate in the Townships of Wellesley and North Dumfries) and By-law 21-070 (A By-law to Impose a Sewage Service Rate in the Townships of Wellesley and North Dumfries); and pass a new Consolidated Fees and Charges By-law including the new and adjusted fees and charges in the 2023 Budget as set out in report COR-CFN-23-015 dated February 22, 2023.

   

  10. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the 2023 Waterloo Region Police Service Budget:
  11. 1. Approve the Waterloo Regional Police Service 2023 Operating Budget with a net expenditure of $ 236,742,817 and a property tax levy of $ 214,060,266; and
      2. Approve the Waterloo Regional Police Service 2023 Capital Budget and 2024-2032 Capital Forecast as summarized in Appendix G of Police Services Board report 2023-003, dated January 18, 2023, subject to final adjustments for 2022 carry-forwards.

  In Favor (13)	B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, P. Wolf, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, and K. Williams
  Opposed (3)	D. Craig, C. James, and R. Deutschmann

  Carried (13 to 3)
• Moved by M. Harris
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  11. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the 2023 Plan and Tax Supported Operating Budget for regional services:

  1. 1. Approve the 2023 Plan as set out Appendix A of report COR-CFN-23-012 dated February 22, 2023;
     2. Approve the 2023 Operating Budget for regional services (excluding Police Services) as summarized in Appendix E of report COR-CFN-23-012 dated February 22, 2023 and as amended by Budget Committee on February 22, 2023 with a net expenditure of $1,190,044,868  and a property tax levy of $468,826,678  for regional services in 2023;
     3. Approve the 2023 Capital Budget and 2024-2032 Capital Forecast for regional services (excluding Police Services) as summarized in Appendix E of report COR-CFN-23-012 dated February 22, 2023 and as amended by Budget Committee on February 22, 2023 and subject to final adjustments for 2022 carry-forwards.

  In Favor (10)	J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, N. Salonen, and C. Huinink
  Opposed (6)	B. Vrbanovic, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, R. Deutschmann, and K. Williams

  Carried (10 to 6)

11.3

Chief Administrative Officer

None.

11.4

Regional Chair

None.

11.5

Regional Clerk

None.

12.

Other Matters Under Committee Of The Whole

None.

13.

Motion for Committee of the Whole to Rise and Council Resume

• Moved by J. Erb
  Seconded by D. Craig

  That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume.

  Carried (16 to 0)

14.

Motion To Adopt Proceedings of Committee of the Whole

• Moved by C. James
  Seconded by N. Salonen

  That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole.

  Carried (15 to 1)

15.

Motions

None.

16.

Notice of Motion

None.

17.

Unfinished Business

None.

18.

Other Business

None.

19.

Questions

None.

20.

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

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by J. Liggett

  That the following by-laws be approved.

  Carried (16 to 0)

20.1

By-law 23-009

• That a By-law to Establish Fees and Charges for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and repeal By-law 21-072 (A By-law to Establish Fees and Charges for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo), By-law 21-067 (A By-law to Amend the Wholesale Rates), By-law 21-068 (A By-law to Impose the Regional Sewage Rate), By-law 21-069 (A By-law to Impose a Water Service Rate in the Townships of Wellesley and North Dumfries) and By-law 21-070 (A By-law to Impose a Sewage Service Rate in the Townships of Wellesley and North Dumfries), as Amended be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 23-009, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

20.2

By-law 23-010

• That a By-law to authorize the borrowing upon amortizing debentures in the principal amount of $421,000 for a capital work of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo (GMF 16615) be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 23-010, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

20.3

By-law 23-011

• That a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at this Meeting Held on February 22, 2023 be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 23-011, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

21.

Motion to go into Closed

• Moved by N. Salonen
  Seconded by B. Vrbanovic

  That a closed meeting of Council be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 immediately following open session in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters:

  1. Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to ongoing litigation
  2. Proposed disposition of lands
  3. Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to ongoing litigation
  Carried (16 to 0)

23.

Adjourn

• Moved by M. Harris
  Seconded by S. Shantz

  That the meeting adjourn at 11:08 p.m.

  Carried (16 to 0)