Community and Infrastructure Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, May 13, 2024 at 3:30 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - Hybrid

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Present:

• Mayor B. Vrbanovic
• Councillor S. Davey
• Councillor D. Schnider
• Councillor J. Deneault
• Councillor C. Michaud
• Councillor A. Owodunni
• Councillor P. Singh
• Councillor B. Ioannidis
• Councillor M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor S. Stretch

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrator
• V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
• D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• G. MacNeil, Director, By-law Enforcement
• B. Lam, Director, Sanitary & Stormwater Utilities
• B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
• A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Safety & Policy
• N. Gollan, Manager Utility Plan & Program
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Community and Infrastructure Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at approximately 3:15 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Consent Items

It was identified in relation to item 3.1. Noise Exemption - Downtown Special Events, CSD-2024-140, that a Special Event is planned prior to the May 27, 2024 Council meeting, and it was noted due to that event, any recommendation arising from this matter would be forwarded to Special Council later this date. 

3.1

Noise Exemption - Downtown Special Events, CSD-2024-140

The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2024-140 dated April 15, 2024 recommending approval of a noise exemption for all Downtown Special Events for the remainder of 2024 calendar year with all events scheduled to end by 11 p.m. 

• On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni

  it was resolved: 

  "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted for all Downtown Special Events, as outlined in Community Service Department report CSD-2024-140."

  Carried

3.2

Property Standard By-law Amendments, CSD-2024-083 

The Committee considered Community Service Department report CSD-2024-083, dated April 22, 2024 recommending an approval to repeal and replace parts of the existing Property Standards By-law.

• On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni

  it was resolved:

  "That the proposed by-law to repeal and replace specific sections of the existing Property Standards By-law, Chapter 665 as noted in Appendix A, be adopted; as outlined in Community Service Department report CSD-2024-083; and further,

  That the updated regulations of the City of Kitchener Property Standards By-law, Chapter 665 be incorporated into The City of Kitchener Municipal Code."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Vision Zero Project Update, DSD-2024-073 

The Committee considered Development Service Development report DSD-2024-073, dated April 9, 2024 recommending to approve the proposed improvements to the Vision Zero action items, including installing Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) at specified locations and amending traffic bylaws accordingly.

A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation, Safety and Policy, presented an overview of the report. B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services, was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

Mayor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. 

J. Broschek, M. Bells, L. Maxwell, K. Broschek and R. Rahman were in attendance in support of the staff report, advocating for various measures to enhance public safety, including a reduction of the City-wide speed limit to 30km per hour, increased use of automated speed cameras, the implementation of car-free zones during school hours to ensure pedestrian safety for students, and the creation of safer streets to promote independent mobility for children within the community.

In response to questions from the Committee, A. McCrimmon-Jones noted in October 2021, Council approved the implementation of a speed limit reduction from 50km per hour to 40km per hour, and to 30km per hour within school zones and along signed neighbourhood bikeways. 

In response to further questions from the Committee, A. McCrimmon-Jones noted staff's willingness to further explore the idea of pedestrian-only areas, particularly in school zones, during hours with increased pedestrian traffic.

Councillor C. Michaud brought forward a motion to approve the staff recommendation as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2024-073, including an amendment, "that staff be directed to investigate the feasibility and impact of reallocating the remaining balance of the annual Formal Traffic Calming budget to the Vision Zero Hot Spot improvement program, recognizing that the Vision Zero Hot Spot Improvement Program has proven to be a data-driven and proactive approach to the implementation traffic calming and street safety measures; and further, that staff report back to Council on the results of this investigation through the 2025 Vision Zero Annual Update.” 

• On motion by Councillor C. Michaud

  it was resolved:

  "That this report, which serves as a progress update on the Vision Zero action items completed in 2023, be received; as outlined in the Development Service Department report, DSD-2024-073; and,

  That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2024 safety improvements as outlined in Attachment A (Vision Zero 2024 Safety Improvements) of report, DSD-2024-020 to support implementation of the Vision Zero Strategy; and,

  That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type B be installed on Belmont Avenue at the Henry Sturm Greenway; and,

  That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type C be installed on Kingsway Drive at Greenfield Avenue, across the north leg of the intersection; and,

  That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type C be installed on Park Street at Mount Hope Street, across the west leg of the intersection; and,

  That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type D be installed on Lawrence Avenue at the Henry Sturm Greenway; and,

  That stopping be prohibited at any time, 15 metres from each Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) at each approach, and ten (10) metres immediately following each Pedestrian Crossover (PXO); and,

  That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly; and, 

  That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility and impact of reallocating the remaining balance of the annual Formal Traffic Calming budget to the Vision Zero Hot Spot improvement program, recognizing that the Vision Zero Hot Spot Improvement Program has proven to be a data-driven and proactive approach to the implementation traffic calming and street safety measures; and further, 

  That staff report back to Council on the results of this investigation through the 2025 Vision Zero Annual Update.” 

  Carried

4.2

Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Final Report, INS-2024-223

The Committee considered Infrastructure Service Department report INS-2024-223, dated May 2, 2024 recommending approval for the Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Schedule 'B' Municipal Class Environmental Assessment including the recommended approaches. 

N. Gollan, Manager, Utility Plan and Programs presented an overview of the report. B. Lam, Director, Sanitary and Stormwater Utility, was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. 

In response to questions from the Committee, N. Gollan noted implementation details and priorities will be updated annually and aligned with funding availability as part of the budget process. In response to further questions from the Committee regarding the impact of development on infrastructure, N. Gollan noted infrastructure will deteriorate and require maintenance or replacement, regardless of the presence of new developments. 

• On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis

  it was resolved:

  "That the Environmental Study Report: Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Schedule ‘B’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. dated May 2, 2024, together with the recommended approaches, be approved; as outlined in the Infrastructure Service Department report INS-2024-223; and further,

  That staff be directed to file the report for the 30-day public review period as required by the Environmental Assessment Act."

  Carried

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Mariah Blake
Committee Coordinator