Planning and Works Committee Minutes

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.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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Start time is approximate. The Planning and Works Committee will start immediately following the Community and Health Services Committee.

1.

Call to Order

Chair C. James called the meeting to order at 9:15 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

5.1

Michael Druker, Kitchener

Michael Druker appeared before the Committee to ask that the proposed changes to the GRT advertising policies not be supported. M. Druker shared concerns with the advertising wraps diminishing the branding, as well as resulting in a poor transit experience, noting that it reduces visibility and some riders find it nauseating. 

6.

Consent Agenda

There were no requests to remove items from the Consent Agenda.

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by P. Wolf

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

  In Favor (15)

  B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, R. Deutschmann, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, and K. Williams

  Carried (15 to 0)

6.1

Strategic Priority - Homes for All

6.1.1

PDL-CPL-23-029, Recommendation Report - Regional Official Plan Amendment for 63 Benjamin Street, New Dundee (Township of Wilmot)

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by P. Wolf

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action with respect to the proposed amendment to the Regional Official Plan:

  a) Adopt the proposed amendment to the Regional Official Plan as set out in Attachment ‘B’ to Report PDL-CPL-23-029 dated October 10, 2023 to:

  1. 1. Revise Section 6.G – Countryside Settlements of the Regional Official Plan (ROP) to add Special Policy 6.G.11 as follows:

  6.G.11 Notwithstanding Policy 5.B.8, the lands shown on Figure 19 in the Township of Wilmot, located at 63 Benjamin Street in the New Dundee Rural Settlement Area may be developed to a maximum of six (6) lots using tertiary wastewater treatment systems, subject to all other policies of this Plan.       

  b) Direct staff to prepare the implementing by-law for the proposed amendment to the Regional Official Plan as set out in Attachment ‘C’ to Report PDL-CPL-23-029 dated October 10, 2023 for consideration by Regional Council.

  Carried

7.

Regular Agenda

7.1

Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

7.1.1

TSD-TRS-23-010, Changes to GRT Advertising Policies

Mathieu Goetzke, Commissioner, Transportation Services, introduced the report, noting that the existing advertising policies allow for five buses to be wrapped and that the proposed changes would modify that to be 10% of the fleet, which would currently be 27 buses. M. Goetzke shared that the hope is to provide GRT with more flexibility to leverage the transit assets and generate additional revenue to help mitigate budget pressures. 

Responding to questions from the Committee, M. Goetzke shared that there is a whole range of advertising products available and associated revenue streams, and that staff would be happy to look into how to better manage options with the advertising company. 

In response to a question from the Committee, M. Goetzke confirmed that staff have not done any community consultation on this item, but have done a lot of jurisdictional reviews. M. Goetzke also noted that this is a very standard practice for transit operators and that most fleets have higher caps, around 20%-40%, which is higher than what staff are proposing. 

Responding to questions from the Committee, M. Goetzke clarified that the intention of the social initiative bus wrap program would be for it to be initiatives that are driven by the Region, not general social messaging. Craig Dyer, Commissioner, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer stated that the budget for any social initiative advertising on buses would be accommodated through the overall transit budget. 

J. Liggett joined the meeting at 9:30 AM. ()

• Moved by R. Deutschmann
  Seconded by J. Liggett

  That the proposed motion be amended to change the language to read "any Regional information campaigns".

  "And that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo continue the Truth and Reconciliation bus wrap until February 29, 2024."

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

  Carried (13 to 3)
• Moved by B. Vrbanovic
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo refer the report back to Staff for changes discussed under TSD-TRS-23-010, Changes to GRT Advertising Policies for consideration prior to the final 2024 budget day on December 13, 2023.

  And that consultation on this issue be included as part of the 2024 Budget Consultations in the context of overall budget priorities, and;

  And that any Regional information campaigns not be included in the limit for bus wraps and that a funding source and process be identified;

  And that the Regional Municipality of Waterloo continue the Truth and Reconciliation bus wrap until February 29, 2024.

  In Favor (16)

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

  Carried (16 to 0)

7.1.2

TSD-TRP-23-012, Downtown Kitchener Cycling Network: Duke Street from Frederick Street to Francis Street (Staff Presentation)

Kornel Mucsi, Manager, Transportation Planning, provided a presentation, which included an overview of the downtown Kitchener cycling network, impacts to the bus service and next steps. K. Mucsi shared that staff did consult with the public and that the City of Kitchener is supportive of the recommendation. 

A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes. 

Responding to questions from the Committee, K. Mucsi explained that AAA cycling lanes refer to a certain quality, where the cycling lanes are separate from vehicle traffic. 

• Moved by B. Vrbanovic
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the recommended design of physically separated two-way cycle tracks along the west side of Duke Street (Regional Road 63) between Francis Street and Water Street built by the City of Kitchener, as described in Report TSD-TRP-23-012, dated October 10, 2023;

  And that the section from Frederick to Water Street be revisited as part of the integrated mobility plan and that staff report back to the Committee at that time.

  In Favor (16)

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

  Carried (16 to 0)

8.

Information/Correspondence

Correspondence received regarding GRT advertising is attached to the minutes.

8.1

Council/Committee Tracking List

Received for information.

9.

Other Business

Staff will look into trails and bike lines with respect to if they are included in the highway traffic act and any stipulations around right of way.

10.

Next Meeting - November 7, 2023

11.

Closed Session

• Moved by J. Erb
  Seconded by M. Harris

  That a closed meeting of the Planning and Works, and Administration and Finance Committees be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 immediately following the Planning and Works Committee 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) Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to pending mediation 
  2) Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to ongoing litigation
  3) Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to a proposed agreement
  4) Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to a proposed disposition of lands

  In Favor (16)

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

  Carried (16 to 0)

12.

Adjourn

• Moved by S. Shantz
  Seconded by P. Wolf

  That the meeting adjourn at 11:00 a.m.

  In Favor (16)

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

  Carried (16 to 0)