Region of Waterloo public meetings in 2023

Community and Health Services

The Committee amended the Code of Use By-law to prohibit harassing and discriminatory behavior on regional premises, including protections for socio-economic and housing status. Other key actions included approving a 2024 pre-budget request for paramedic service enhancements and an investment plan for community housing initiatives.

• Amended Code of Use By-law (#13-050) to prohibit harassing/discriminatory behaviour on Regional premises (13-0)
• Amended proposed by-law to include socio-economic and housing status (13-0)
• Approved Paramedic Services 2024 pre-budget request for service enhancements (13-0)
• Approved Year 5 and 6 Investment Plan for COCHI and OPHI (Carried)
• Approved 2 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions funded by COCHI and OPHI (Carried)
• Requested provincial government allocate additional Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit funding for households experiencing homelessness (Carried)
• Approved Consent Agenda items (14-0)

Planning and Works

The committee approved the recommended design concept for the Scheifele Bridge replacement on Northfield Drive. It also authorized the Director of Water and Wastewater Services to act as the owner representative for the Region's drinking water systems. Finally, the Traffic and Parking By‑law was amended to permit administrative penalties for parking on regional roads, with a 16‑to‑0 vote.

• Approved Scheifele Bridge Replacement design concept (EES-DCS-23-008) – carried
• Authorized Director of Water and Wastewater Services as owner representative for drinking water systems – carried
• Amended Traffic and Parking By‑law to allow administrative penalties for parking on regional roads – carried (16‑0)

Administration and Finance

The Committee approved the establishment of a processing centre for automated speed enforcement infractions to support the expansion of the program to all school zones. This decision is subject to 2024 budget approval. The Committee also received several financial reports for information.

• Approved establishment of a Region of Waterloo processing centre for automated speed enforcement infractions (12-1)
• Approved directing staff to submit staffing and budget requirements for the processing centre as part of the 2024 Plan and Budget (12-1)
• Approved amending the agreement with Redflex Traffic Systems (Canada) Limited for equipment supply (12-1)
• Approved Consent Agenda items (16-0)
• Received Moody's Credit Rating Update for information
• Received Debenture Issuance Preview for information
• Received Five Year Continuity – Tax Stabilization Reserve and Working Funds Reserve report for information
• Approved holding a closed session to discuss litigation and a proposed land acquisition in Kitchener (13-0)

Planning and Works Statutory Public Meeting - Regional Official Plan Amendment

The Planning and Works Committee heard a staff presentation and public delegations supporting the proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment for 63 Benjamin Street, New Dundee. The report was recorded as received for information only, and no vote or formal decision on the amendment was taken.

Council Meeting

Council approved several major capital projects, including a 6-storey residential development in Kitchener and road rehabilitation in Wellesley. The board also accepted a proposal for a new airport café and a roof replacement in Cambridge.

• Approved $28,227,200 tender to Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. for 82 Wilson Ave residential development
• Approved $3,521,013.20 tender to Capital Paving Inc for Regional Road 10 rehabilitation
• Approved $1,724,840.00 tender to Flynn Canada Ltd. for roof replacement at 150 Main St. Cambridge
• Accepted Stockyards Beverage Co. proposal to operate a café at the International Airport
• Increased Mayhew Inc. contract by $1,300,000 for regional facilities consolidation
• Approved $203,000 budget increase for Airport Capital Program project #03609
• Approved debenture authority of $23,615,000 for the 82 Wilson Ave project
• Decided to implement through truck diversion from downtown Cambridge via McQueen Shaver Boulevard

Community and Health Services

The Committee approved a budget amendment for child care funding and allocated grants for tourism. It also authorized the transfer of two community housing properties from ROWCHI to the Region and directed staff to report on funding for public art galleries.

• Approved $8,380,262 budget increase for Children’s Services funded by the Ministry of Education
• Approved $163,550 in funding for the Cultural Drivers of Tourism Pilot Grant Program (13-0)
• Approved transfer of two community housing properties (92 units) at 199 Elm Ridge Drive and 86 Elgin St. S (14-0)
• Authorized discharge of $2,775,936 mortgage for 86 Elgin St. S using Housing Capital Reserve (14-0)
• Directed staff to prepare a report on including public art galleries in Regional operating funds

Administration and Finance

The Committee approved the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and amended the 2023 Tax Supported Capital Budget. Members also approved an updated Emergency Management By-Law and the continuation of electronic participation for Council meetings.

• Approved 2023-2027 Strategic Plan (16-0)
• Amended 2023 Tax Supported Capital Budget (16-0)
• Approved updated Emergency Management By-Law
• Approved continuation of electronic participation for Council/Committee meetings (16-0)
• Approved pre-budget 2024 procurement of vehicles and equipment
• Ratified appointment of Robert Shipley to Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation
• Directed Regional Clerk to provide cost estimates for Council Chamber tech upgrades in 2024 budget

Library Committee

The Committee approved the conversion of the Breslau Satellite Branch into a full-service library located in the lower level of the Breslau Community Centre. An additional cost estimate of $33,000 may be included in the 2024 budget if approved.

• Approved conversion of Breslau Satellite Branch to full-service library (5-0)

Planning and Works

The Planning and Works Committee authorized the expropriation of lands for roundabout construction at New Dundee Road and Robert Ferrie Drive in Kitchener, and at Sawmill Road and Ebycrest Road in Woolwich. The committee also approved several consent agenda items.

• Authorized land expropriation for roundabout at New Dundee Road and Robert Ferrie Drive (Carried)
• Approved land expropriation for roundabout at Sawmill Road and Ebycrest Road (Carried)
• Approved Consent Agenda items except for 6.1.4 and 6.1.7 (16-0)

Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation

The Board elected John Glass as Chair and Michelle Lee as Vice-Chair for a one-year term. The Foundation approved the appointment of Robert Shipley as a Director for a three-year term. A request for $3,500 in funding for a children's activity book was denied due to a pause in grant funding.

• Elected John Glass as Chair (Carried)
• Elected Michelle Lee as Vice-Chair (Carried)
• Approved May 23, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Denied $3,500 funding for Doors Open children's activity book
• Approved honourarium amounts for Strategic Planning Review participants based on Regional Director recommendations, within the $1,200 budget (Carried)
• Approved Robert Shipley for a three-year term as Director (Carried)

Special Council

Council participated in workshops led by Creative Futures and Rebecca Sutherns to discuss priorities, mission, vision, and values for the 2023-2027 strategic plan. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded.

All Councils

The meeting consisted of presentations regarding economic development, tourism, and hospital infrastructure. No substantive motions were decided, approved, or denied. The session included a consultation workshop for the Region's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

Council Meeting

Regional Council approved the expropriation of lands to complete the Farmers Market Trail in the City of Waterloo. Council also approved land expropriations for improvements at the intersection of Cedar Creek Road, Trussler Road, and County Road No. 8.

• Approved land expropriation for Farmers Market Trail works at Northfield Drive West (Carried)
• Approved land expropriation for intersection improvements at Cedar Creek Road and Trussler Road (Carried)
• Approved minutes from 10 previous meetings (Carried)
• Approved motion to enter closed session for legal advice and negotiations (Carried)

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP as the external auditor for the 2023 fiscal year. The committee also voted to enter a closed session to discuss fraud prevention and the security of Regional property.

• Appointed KPMG LLP as external auditor for the 2023 fiscal year at a cost of $172,400 plus taxes (Carried)
• Approved motion to enter closed session to discuss security of Regional property related to fraud prevention (Carried)

Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation AGM

The Foundation approved its 2022 annual report and financial statements. The board filled three vacancies by appointing new directors for three-year terms.

• Approved minutes from June 14, 2022
• Adopted Annual Report for year ending December 31, 2022
• Adopted Auditor's Statements dated June 7, 2023
• Approved Andrea Carswell and Brian Dietrich as Directors for three-year terms
• Approved Philippe Elsworthy as Director for a three-year term

Community and Health Services

The Committee approved funding for major arts organizations and established a new protocol for housing stability service requests. Members also resolved to further embed equity and reconciliation initiatives into Regional operations.

• Approved $340,000 for 2023 Major Arts and Culture Organizations grant program
• Approved implementation of Housing Stability System Fee for Service Request and Proposal Response Protocol starting in 2024
• Resolved that the CAO consider expanding community connectors for anti-racism and reconciliation and adding EDI directors to the Corporate Leadership Team
• Approved circulation of anti-racism and reconciliation resolution to area municipalities
• Approved motion to enter closed session to receive solicitor-client privileged advice regarding Regional property security

Planning and Works

The Planning and Works Committee approved the expropriation of lands for the Farmers Market Trail in the City of Waterloo and a roundabout at Cedar Creek Road and Trussler Road. The committee also heard presentations regarding youth transit programs and urban development requests.

• Approved land expropriation for Farmers Market Trail works in the City of Waterloo
• Approved land expropriation for roundabout construction at Cedar Creek Road and Trussler Road
• Approved Consent Agenda items (excluding item 8.2.1)

Administration and Finance

The Committee approved the timetable for the 2024 Plan and Budget and deferred the consideration of a Lobbyist Registry to the 2024 Plan and Budget. Several reports regarding administrative penalties, strategic planning, and development charges were received for information.

• Approved 2024 Plan and Budget review timetable (Carried)
• Deferred consideration of a Lobbyist Registry to the 2024 Plan and Budget (Carried)
• Forwarded Report COR-CFN-23-027 to Waterloo Region Police Services Board and Area Municipalities (Carried)
• Referred 2024 Plan and Budget Process and Guidelines report back to Staff for changes to Council on June 21, 2023 (Carried)
• Received for information: Implementation of an Administrative Penalties Program (Carried)
• Received for information: Strategic Planning Process 2023-2027 Update (Carried)
• Received for information: Sustainability of Regional Development Charges (Carried)

Special Council

Council participated in a workshop led by Creative Futures regarding priorities for the 2023-2027 strategic plan. No substantive motions were decided or voted upon during the session.

• Conducted strategic planning workshop for 2023-2027 priorities

Council Meeting

Council approved the purchase of an 88-unit student residential building and a property in Cambridge. The board also endorsed Bill 5 regarding the removal of municipal leaders for harassment and approved a $1.48M traffic signal contract.

• Approved purchase of 139 University Avenue West student residential building for $11,250,000
• Approved purchase of 1650 Dundas Street South, Cambridge for $1,300,000
• Accepted $1,483,695.20 tender from Fortran Traffic Systems for LED traffic signals
• Endorsed Bill 5, Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, 2022
• Directed Clerk to amend by-law to require recording of all individual Council votes
• Approved Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2027
• Approved Cultural Drivers of Tourism Pilot Grant Program Guidelines
• Approved expansion of 2023 Automated Speed Enforcement program to 32 sites

Special Planning and Works

The Planning and Works Committee approved additions to the Stage 2 ION project business case, including specific route alternatives and the consideration of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The meeting also included education sessions on MobilityPLUS and Stage 2 ION.

• Directed staff to include three project alternatives in the Stage 2 ION business case
• Directed staff to add emergency ramps to the Stage 2 ION business case
• Directed staff to add a fourth alternative from south terminus in Cambridge to Preston
• Directed staff to add a T4 alternative with the terminus in east Cambridge
• Directed staff to provide feasibility information on a route down Dundas in Cambridge
• Approved adding BRT consideration and costing to the Stage 2 ION business case
• Approved motion to enter closed session for solicitor-client privilege regarding land disposition and litigation

Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation

The Foundation approved the Auditor Draft Financial Statements dated May 23, 2023. The board also approved the amended minutes from the April 25, 2023 meeting. Members discussed the completion of restoration work at the Central Presbyterian Church.

• Approved Auditor Draft Financial Statements dated May 23, 2023 (Carried)
• Approved amended minutes from April 25, 2023 (Carried)