Special Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, July 15, 2024 at 1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Present:

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

Absent:

• Councillor C. Michaud
• Councillor B. Ioannidis
• Councillor D. Chapman

Staff:

• 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
• L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
• K. Hughes, Assistant City Solicitor
• R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
• R. Bustamante, Director Planning & Housing Policy
• A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk

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1.

Commencement

A meeting of City Council was held electronically at 1:03 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.

The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor. 

1.1

Live Stream Link

Mayor B. Vrbanovic noted that today’s meeting was being held electronically and streamed to YouTube as the City’s Council Chamber technology is being renovated. 

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

2.1

Councillor P. Singh - Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, FIN-2024-327

Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with the Bramm Street Remediation Project as outlined in Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, report FIN-2024-327, as he owns property within the vicinity, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter.

2.2

Councillor S. Davey - Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, FIN-2024-327

Councillor S. Davey declared a pecuniary interest with Building Faster Fund 2024 - Potential Land Acquisition (Land Acquisition - Section 239 (c)) on the in-camera meeting this date, as well as, the Land Acquisition matter as outlined in Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, report FIN-2024-327, as he has an indirect conflict due to a relative, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter.

3.

Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic

None

4.

In-camera Meeting Authorization 

• Moved by Councillor M. Johnston
  Seconded by Councillor A. Owodunni

  "That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following the special council meeting this date to consider a potential land acquisition matter as authorized by Sections 239 (c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."

  Carried

5.

Recess and Reconvene

The Special Council meeting then recessed at 1:08 p.m. and reconvened at 1:28 p.m. chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic, with all members present except Councillors B. Ioannidis, C. Michaud and D. Chapman.

6.

Staff Reports

6.1

Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, FIN-2024-327

• Councillor P. Singh declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with the Bramm Street Remediation Project as outlined in Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, report FIN-2024-327, as he owns property within the vicinity, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter.)
• Councillor S. Davey declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor S. Davey declared a pecuniary interest with Building Faster Fund 2024 - Potential Land Acquisition (Land Acquisition - Section 239 (c)) on the in-camera meeting this date, as well as, the Land Acquisition matter as outlined in Building Faster Fund - 2024 Project, report FIN-2024-327, as he has an indirect conflict due to a relative, and did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter.)

Council considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-327, entitled Building Faster Fund – 2024 Investment Plan, dated july 9, 2024, recommending approval of Building Faster Fund  an Investment Plan that would allocate $14M of Building Faster Funds to the following City projects: Bramm Yards Remediation $1M; Sandrock Creek – Meadowlane Park Stormwater Improvements $3M; and, Land Acquisition for Future Housing $10M. Jonathan Lautenbach was in attendance to respond to questions from Council.

Due to the previously declared conflicts, each project was voted on separately.

Bramm Yards Remediation $1M, was then voted on and was Carried.

Sandrock Creek – Meadowlane Park Stormwater Improvements $3M, was then voted on and was Carried.

Land Acquisition for Future Housing $10M, was then voted on and was Carried.

• Moved by Councillor M. Johnston
  Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider

  "That the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) be delegated authority to submit an Investment Plan to the Building Faster Fund, as outlined Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-327, for:

  • • Bramm Yards Remediation
    • Sandrock Creek – Meadowlane Park Stormwater Improvements
    • Land Acquisition for Future Housing."
  Carried

6.2

Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal - Cane/Kane, COR-2024-326

Council considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-326, entitled Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal - Cane/Kane, dated July 4, 2024, recommending approval of a recommendation arising from the Dangerous Dog Designation Appeal held earlier this date.

Councillor J. Deneault brought forward the motion, noting the Committee at the Dog Designation Appeal held earlier this date made a recommendation to substitute the dangerous dog designation with a prohibited designation. 

• Moved by Councillor J. Deneault
  Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston

  "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee to designate “Cane/Kane” as prohibited as referred to Council from the Appeal meeting held early this date, regarding an appeal filed by the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth for the dog, be ratified and confirmed, as outlined on Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-326."

  Carried, as amended

7.

By-laws

7.1

Three Readings

• Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
  Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider

  "That the by-laws be given third reading, namely:

7.1.a

Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 10 Duke Street West, in the City of Kitchener as being of historic and cultural heritage value or interest.

(By-law 2024-140)

7.1.b

Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 60 Victoria Street North, in the City of Kitchener as being of historic and cultural heritage value or interest.

(By-law 2024-141)

7.1.c

To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for July 15, 2024.

(By-law 2024-142)

Carried

8.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.