Special Council Minutes

Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 5:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario

Members Present:

• K. Redman, 
• B. Vrbanovic, 
• D. Jaworsky, 
• E. Clarke, 
• G. Lorentz, 
• H. Jowett, 
• J. Erb, 
• J. Nowak, 
• K. McGarry, 
• L. Armstrong, 
• M. Harris, 
• S. Shantz, 
• S. Strickland, 
• S. Foxton, 
• and T. Galloway

Members Absent:

• K. Kiefer

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

---

The purpose of this meeting is to consider the recommendations from the Planning and Works Committee - Regional Official Plan Amendment and the Community Services Committee Interim Response to Homelessness.

1.

Call to Order

Regional Chair K. Redman called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Regional Chair K. Redman gave a land acknowledgement. 

3.

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

B. Vrbanovic declared a deemed pecuniary interest with respect to item 1 on the Planning and Works Summary of Recommendations due to a family member owning property in proximity of the Ottawa Street Corridor. 

6.

Motion to Go Into Committee of the Whole to Consider Reports

• Moved by J. Nowak
  Seconded by G. Lorentz

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

  Carried

5.

Communications

7.

Reports

7.1

Committee Reports

7.1.1

Planning and Works Committee Summary - Regional Official Plan Amendment - August 11, 2022

• B. Vrbanovic declared a conflict on this item.

Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development & Legislative  Services, Planning, Development and Legislative Services, responded to questions from Council noting that a recent report from the Smart Prosperity Institute identifies the need for approximately 70,000 new homes in Waterloo Region over the next decade. He stated that in order to meet this target the industry would need to build approximately 18% more homes annually. He stressed that the land supply available in the Regional Official Plan amendment would allow for that number of homes to be built in Waterloo Region. 

Part 1 of the recommendation was taken separately due to B. Vrbanovic's pecuniary interest. 

G. Lorentz requested a recorded vote on the second part of the recommendation. 

Council thanked the community and staff for their input and work on the plan, noting that it is a transformative document that reflects the climate goals of the Region.  

K. McGarry joined the meeting at 5:09 PM. ()

• Moved by T. Galloway
  Seconded by E. Clarke

  That the Summary of Recommendations of the Planning and Works Committee - Regional Official Plan Amendment dated August 11, 2022 be adopted as follows:

  1.That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the proposed recommended amendment to the Regional Official Plan (ROP) as outlined in Report PDL-CPL-22-24, dated August 11, 2022:

  a. That a Regional Intensification Corridor be included in the proposed ROP amendment along Ottawa Street, as reflected in the schedules and policies of the proposed ROP amendment outlined in Attachment A.

  Carried
• Moved by T. Galloway
  Seconded by E. Clarke

  That the Summary of Recommendations of the Planning and Works Committee - Regional Official Plan Amendment dated August 11, 2022 be adopted as follows:

  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to the proposed recommended amendment to the Regional Official Plan (ROP) as outlined in Report PDL-CPL-22-24, dated August 11, 2022 :

  b.    Enact a By-law to repeal Chapters 1 and 2, and Section 3. A of the existing ROP, and adopt the proposed new Chapters 1 and 2, and Section 3.A as set out in the proposed ROP amendment in Attachment A;
  c.    Direct staff to issue a Notice of Adoption for the proposed ROP amendment in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act;
  d.    Direct staff to forward the proposed ROP amendment and all required supporting documents to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval, and forward this report to the local area municipalities for information; and
  e.    Direct staff to work with the Ministry to approve the proposed ROP amendment, including incorporating any modifications to the amendment deemed necessary by the Ministry, and report back to Council as required.

  In Favor (13)	B. Vrbanovic, D. Jaworsky, E. Clarke, G. Lorentz, H. Jowett, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, K. McGarry, S. Shantz, S. Strickland, S. Foxton, and T. Galloway
  Opposed (1)	M. Harris

  Carried (13 to 1)

8.

Other Matters Under Committee Of The Whole

8.2

PDL-CPL-22-25, Response to comments and questions raised at Planning and Works Committee

Received for information. 

4.

Delegations

4.1

Meagan Snyder, Unsheltered Campaign

M. Snyder appeared on behalf of Unsheltered Campaign, a group of housed and unhoused individuals. She stressed the importance of ensuring that individuals with lived experience are involved throughout the policy and decision making process. She recommended that Council end the litigation against the residents of the encampment at 100 Victoria Street. 

L. Armstrong joined the meeting at 5:39 PM. ()

4.2

Ed Edwards, Kitchener

E. Edwards stressed the importance of housing and noted that the public is often more worried about seeing homeless individuals than homelessness in general. He noted that the solution to both issues is to build more housing, which will make everyone happy. He stressed the importance of ensuing diverse housing options. 

4.3

David Alton, Julian Ichim and Fidelia Ukueje, Kitchener's Lived Expertise Working Group

D. Alton, J. Ichim, and F. Ukueje, appeared on behalf of Kitchener’s Lived Expertise Working Group on Housing. A copy of a written submission is appended to the minutes. 

J. Ichim provided an overview of his lived experience without housing. He stressed that the worst part of being homeless is not having a place to call your own that is a safe place to exist. He encouraged the Region to adopt a human rights approach to housing and fund necessary solutions. A copy of his written remarks is appended to the minutes.

F. Ukueje, President of Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo, shared her close experience to homelessness. She advocated for more funds to be allocated to services such as transitional homes for the unsheltered, training of staff to use trauma informed approaches in supporting homeless people, and empowering front line workers when implementing Housing First approaches. A copy of her written comments is appended to the minutes. 

4.4

Brooklin Wallis, Kitchener

B. Wallis stated that the Region’s response to homelessness is just for show while the litigation to evict the residents of 100 Victoria Street litigation is in place. She stressed the importance of ensuring that individuals are housed before the upcoming winter and encouraged staff to look at other jurisdictions for solutions to end homelessness. 

4.5

Kevin White, Waterloo Region Yes in My Backyard

K. White appeared before Council to express his appreciation for the tonal shift in the report, greater engagement with people with lived experience, and the sanctioning of encampments. He stressed the importance of safety and noted that evicting residents of encampments damage relationships and trust between individuals and service providers.

4.6

Robert Deutschmann, North Dumfries

R. Deutschmann acknowledged importance of funding from other levels of government but encouraged the Region to act on the recommendation to support people without waiting for action from other levels of government. He encouraged the Region to not criminalize homeless individuals and end the legal action against the encampment at 100 Victoria Street. 

4.7

Laura Pin, Hamilton

L. Pin appeared before Council noting that she is an Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University who works closely with community organizations including the unsheltered campaign. She thanked staff for the preparation of the interim housing report, but stressed that an effort to implement the report’s recommendations are undermined by the ongoing litigation against the residents of 100 Victoria Street. She expressed her concern that there is no mention of decriminalizing people living without shelter on public lands, and no explicit acknowledgement of a human rights based approach to housing in the report. 

4.8

Nadine Green, A Better Tent City 49 Ardelt Place

N. Green provided an overview of her experience opening her store to individuals who were experiencing homelessness. She was evicted from her store for using it as a residence and was part of the creation of A Better Tent City (ABTC). She noted that everyone there lives in small housing, meals are planned and the community supports one another. 

Responding to questions, N. Green stated that in her opinion, more than 50 people on a site like ABTC would be problematic. She further noted that people can stay at ABTC for as long as they want. 

4.9

Charlene Lee, Kitchener

C. Lee stated that when she was homeless, it was her support worker that helped her and taught her to be an advocate. She stressed that housing is not enough and that more funding is needed for outreach workers and support services. She highlighted the need for twenty-four hour a day drop-in services with people with lived experience working beside outreach workers.

7.

Reports

7.1

Committee Reports

7.1.2

Community Services Committee Summary - Interim Response to Homelessness - August 9, 2022 

In response to a question from Council, Craig Dyer, Commissioner, Corporate Services/Chief Financial Officer, stated that the current Regional Development Charges By-law does not have a fee for housing. Other municipalities do have a relatively modest fee and staff will include capital costs for housing in the next background study. He stressed that this is not definitive, but it will allow the next Council to consider it.  

Responding to questions, Peter Sweeney, Commissioner, Community Services, stated that staff are taking a system level view and not looking at only one specific encampment site. Staff are working to provide options to people at 100 Victoria Street, however there are many moving pieces. He stated that staff will return with more definitive information when it is available.  

• Moved by B. Vrbanovic
  Seconded by E. Clarke

  That the Summary of Recommendations of the Community Services Committee related to Interim Response to the Homelessness, dated August 9, 2022, be adopted as follows:

  1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff to develop a Homelessness Master Plan detailing the strategies and resources necessary to end homelessness in the Region of Waterloo.

  2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo authorize Staff to prioritize and
  implement interim housing solutions, to support those experiencing homelessness
  in the Region of Waterloo, in the following order:

  1.  Expansion of the Transitional Housing Program, including an Indigenous-focused and led site;
  2. Expansion of the Home-Based Support Program;
  3. Expansion of the Emergency Shelter Program; and
  4. Permit a managed Hybrid Shelter/Outdoor Model
  Carried

8.

Other Matters Under Committee Of The Whole

8.1

CSD-HOU-22-19, Interim Housing Solutions for Regional Residents Experiencing Homelessness

P. Sweeney introduced the report and noted that staff have provided more specific wording on the source of funding, and the delegation of authority, to allow the work to begin in earnest. C. Dyer provided a presentation outlining the staff recommendation for funding the interim response during the period of restricted acts for the municipal election. A copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes.

Council stressed the importance of housing and homelessness funding being covered by the province through consumption taxes, rather than regressive property taxes. Council further acknowledged the challenges that will exist in the 2023 Regional budget.

B. Vrbanovic requested a recorded vote. 

• Moved by T. Galloway
  Seconded by J. Erb

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to Interim Housing Solutions for Regional Residents Experiencing Homelessness as recommended by the Community Services Committee on August 9, 2022 and as further set out in report CSD-HOU-22-19 dated August 18, 2022:

  1. Advocate to the Government of Canada and to the Province of Ontario for incremental, sustainable and predictable funding to support interim and long term solutions to eliminate homelessness in Waterloo Region;
  2. Increase the 2022 Housing Services Operating Budget by $3,420,000 to be funded from a combination of the 2022 Equity and Inclusion Fund and the Tax Stabilization Reserve as deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer;
  3. Delegate on an as required basis, to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Commissioner of Community Services, the authority to finalize and execute agreements with service providers, landlords, and/or community partners, and any associated ancillary agreements, including agreements to acquire interests in property, and to execute documents and certificates as may be necessary for the expeditious implementation of the Community Services Committee resolutions from August 9, 2022 and to do all things as may be necessary or required to give effect to these resolutions, all to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor and the Chief Financial Officer; and
  4. Indicate Regional Council’s intent to recover, from future regional development charges, a portion of capital costs incurred in 2022 and future years relating to Housing Solutions for Regional Residents Experiencing Homelessness, subject to approval of future Regional Development Charge By-laws.

  In Favor (14)

  K. Redman, B. Vrbanovic, D. Jaworsky, E. Clarke, G. Lorentz, H. Jowett, J. Nowak, J. Erb, K. McGarry, L. Armstrong, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, and T. Galloway

  Carried (14 to 0)

9.

Motion for Committee of the Whole to Rise and Council Resume

• Moved by G. Lorentz
  Seconded by K. McGarry

  That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume.

  Carried

10.

Motion To Adopt Proceedings of Committee of the Whole

• Moved by K. McGarry
  Seconded by J. Erb

  That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole.

  Carried

11.

Unfinished Business

12.

Motion to go into Closed Session

• Moved by J. Nowak
  Seconded by L. Armstrong

  That a closed meeting of Council be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 immediately following this motion, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters:

  1. Labour relations
  Carried

13.

Motion to Reconvene into Open Session

• Moved by K. McGarry
  Seconded by J. Nowak

  That Council reconvene into Open Session.

  Carried

14.

Other Business

14.1

HRC-LRE-22-11, Tentative Settlement - CUPE Local 1656

In response to a question from Council, Kate Konopka, Director, Labour Relations, stated that the agreement with CUPE 1656 will provide a 2.1% increase in each year of the agreement. 

• Moved by E. Clarke
  Seconded by S. Shantz

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve a tentative Memorandum of Settlement for the Region’s outside workers represented by CUPE Local 1656 for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.

  Carried

15.

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

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by D. Jaworsky

  That the following by-laws be approved. 

  Carried

15.1

By-Law 22-038

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by D. Jaworsky

  That A By-law to amend By-law Number 09-025, as amended, Being the Regional Official Plan for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Amendment Number 6: Implementation of the Results of the Municipal Comprehensive Review under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 22-038, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

  Carried

15.2

By-Law 22-039

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by D. Jaworsky

  That a By-law to Confirm the Actions of Special Council of August 18, 2022 be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 22-039, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

  Carried

16.

Adjourn

• Moved by L. Armstrong
  Seconded by B. Vrbanovic

  That the meeting adjourn at 7:31 p.m.

  Carried