Regional Council Minutes

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

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


Chair K. Redman called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Chair K. Redman provided a land acknowledgement.

J. Liggett joined the meeting at 6:17 PM. ()
  • Moved byJ. Nowak
    Seconded byJ. Erb

    That a closed meeting of the Council be held on January 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. electronically, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters:

    a) Information supplied in confidence from a Crown Agency

    b) Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege relating to a proposed acquisition of lands

    c) Education on Camera-Based Traffic Enforcement Programs & Processing

    Carried
  • Moved byN. Salonen
    Seconded byP. Wolf

    That Council reconvene into Open Session.

    Carried (15 to 0)

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner, Public Health and Emergency Services/ Medical Officer of Health and Jessie Johal, Acting Director, Infectious Disease/Chief Nursing Officer provided an update on the current state of Covid-19 and other illnesses in the community. Dr. H. Wang noted that local influenza rates appear to have peaked in mid-December and the hospital admissions for respiratory syncytial virus have remained stable since December. She highlighted that Covid-19 indicators continue to fluctuate and she stressed the importance of staying up to date, wearing a well fitting mask in indoor settings, and improving indoor ventilation.

J. Johal highlighted that vaccinations continue to be offered through a variety of sites and noted that the local rates of uptake of the booster vaccine is similar to province. She informed Council that noted that appointments are not needed as long as there is capacity and that they will be partnering with the local school boards to offer the vaccination to grade 8 students as a part of the school based vaccinations.

Rachel Smith-Spencer, Board Chair and Ian Whitman, Principal Double Bass appeared with Andrew Bennett, Executive Director, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony to provide a presentation highlighting the benefits of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony to the Region and requesting funding. A copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes. A. Bennett stressed that they are planning for 50% growth in the next 2 years but are still struggling from the impact of the pandemic and requested an additional one time grant of $100,000.

Jacob Hanlon provided a presentation on a food waste diversion process offered by Food Cycle Science. A copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes. He noted that they are currently working with over forty municipalities where green bins are not a preferred solution and highlighted that their program is a good solution for multi-residential buildings.

In response to a question from Council, J. Hanlon provided an overview of the costing that has been done with other municipalities and noted that he would be willing to discuss their program with staff. 

D. Craig expressed his concern that there was no answer from MPP Riddell regarding about why the Region is not getting extra funding similar to what is being provided to Toronto. Regional Chair K. Redman noted that the provincial government is saying municipalities will be made whole, but has not been clear what that will mean.

Received for information. 

  • Moved byN. Salonen
    Seconded byJ. Nowak

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

    Carried (15 to 0)

12.

 

J. Schelling provided an overview of the report noting that the parkade is split between the City and the Region. He explained that staff have been working on an agreement and both the Region and the City are being asked to extend the timeline to allow the work to continue.

J. Liggett left the meeting at 8:12 PM. ()
  • Moved byC. Huinink
    Seconded byP. Wolf

    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-23-004 dated January 25, 2023:

    1. Enter into an amending agreement with the Corporation of the City of Waterloo to further extend an existing option to purchase a share of a parking structure owned by the City of Waterloo and used by the Region of Waterloo to June 30, 2023; and
    2. That the Commissioner, Corporate Services and the Regional Solicitor be authorized to approve and execute the final Option Agreement to exercise the existing option to purchase a share of a parking structure owned by the City of Waterloo and used by the Region of Waterloo, prior to June 30, 2023.
    Carried (14 to 0)
  • That the following Committee reports be received for information and approved.

  • Moved byS. Shantz
    Seconded byD. Craig

    That the Summary of Recommendations of the Administration and Finance Committee dated January 10, 2023, item 1 and 2, be adopted as follows:

    1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo authorize the Regional Chair and Clerk to enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province of Ontario with respect to the Safe Restart Agreement Transit Stream Phase 4 to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor and the Chief Financial Officer as described in report COR-CFN-23-003 dated January 10, 2023.
    2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo write-off accounts receivable in the amount of $169,481.50 for the year ended December 31, 2022 as outlined in Report COR-TRY-23-002 dated January 10, 2023.
    Carried (14 to 0)
  • Moved byN. Salonen
    Seconded byS. Foxton

    The Administration and Finance Committee recommends as follows:

    1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo appoint the following applicants to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) for a four-year term ending in December 31, 2026.
      1. Alyssa Clelland (new)
      2. Tamara Cooper (new)
      3. Sarah Cunneyworth (new)
      4. Heather Gillespie (new)
      5. Christine Nishiwaki (new)
      6. Farshid Sadatsharifi (new)
      7. Katherine Waybrant (new)
      8. Agency Representation – Brain Injury Association Waterloo Wellington (new)
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Moved byN. Salonen
    Seconded byC. Huinink

    The Community and Health Services Committee recommends as follows:

    1.    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to CSD-HOU-23-001, Love Your Neighbour Communities’ Affordable Housing Proposal for a Regional Land Contribution of 34 Peel Street, New Hamburg, to support a proposed affordable housing development in the Township of Wilmot, as described in Report CSD-HOU-23-001, dated January 10, 2023:


    a.    That Regional Council continue to support the proposed use of the Property, 34 Peel Street, New Hamburg (the “Property”) for the development of affordable housing by Love Your Neighbourhood Communities (LYNC), a non-profit organization, subject to any requirements of Wilmot Township planning and building officials; and
    b.    Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services to issue a Conditional Commitment Letter to transfer the Property to LYNC, valid for 18 months regarding the conveyance of the Property, in a form satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor.

     

    2.    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions with respect to CSD-HOU-23-002, Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3, to facilitate the creation of new affordable housing for vulnerable people under the Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3, as outlined in report CSD-HOU-23-002, dated January 10, 2023:


    a.    Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services to enter into an agreement with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation under the Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3 in a form and content satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor;
    b.    Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner, Community Services to select project(s) for Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3 Cities Stream funding and apply for Project Stream funding based on the program guidelines and Region priorities identified in this Report;
    c.    Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services to submit the proposed projects under the Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3 to CMHC for approval for Cities Stream projects and consideration of Project Stream projects;
    d.    Authorize the Commissioner, Community Services to execute such agreements and documentation necessary with the Government of Canada and all approved project proponents as required as part of the Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3, being subject to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor; and
    e.    Authorize the Director and Assistant Director, Housing Services, to execute and deliver all documentation required by CMHC and the Region to fund the Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3 Cities Stream and Project Stream projects approved by CMHC and finalize the funding and conditions with the proponents.

    Carried (14 to 0)
  • Moved byC. Huinink
    Seconded byP. Wolf

    That the Summary of Recommendations of the Closed Planning and Works Committee dated January 10, 2023, item 1, be adopted as follows:

    1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by The Minister of Infrastructure for part of the property described as Part Lot 41, German Company Tract, in the Geographic Township of Waterloo, in the City of Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, designated as Parts 1, 2 & 3 on Plan 58R-21533, being part of PIN 22184-0508 (LT), at a purchase price of Three-Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand and Five Hundred ($394,500.00) Dollars plus applicable taxes, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-23-002, dated January 10, 2023; and

    That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by The Minister of Infrastructure for part of the property described as Part Lot 41, German Company Tract, in the Geographic Township of Waterloo, in the City of Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, designated as Parts 8, 10 & 12 on Plan 58R-21533, being part of PIN 22184-0508 (LT), at a purchase price of Eighty-Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty ($84,750.00) Dollars plus applicable taxes, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-23-002, dated January 10, 2023.

    That the Commissioner, Engineering & Environmental Services and Regional Solicitor be authorized to execute the agreements of purchase and sale and all other related documentation to complete the 2 acquisitions of land, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-23-002, dated January 10, 2023

    Carried (14 to 0)
  • Moved byS. Shantz
    Seconded byS. Foxton

    That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume.

    Carried (14 to 0)
  • Moved byB. Vrbanovic
    Seconded byJ. Erb

    That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole.

    Carried (14 to 0)

16.

 

In response to a question from Council, Peter Sweeney, Commissioner, Community Services stated that the sanctioned encampment will unfortunately not be able to open in February as hoped and that staff are now targeting mid to late March. He noted that there will be a meeting held on January 26, 2023 for community members to ask questions about the site.

  • Moved byD. McCabe
    Seconded byS. Foxton

    That the following by-laws be approved.

    Carried (14 to 0)

22.

 
  • Moved byP. Wolf
    Seconded byN. Salonen

    That the meeting adjourn at 8:48 p.m.

    Carried (14 to 0)