Council Meeting Minutes

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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 A. Owodunni
  • Councillor P. Singh
  • Councillor B. Ioannidis
  • Councillor M. Johnston
  • Councillor D. Chapman
  • Councillor S. Stretch
Absent:
  • Councillor C. Michaud
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
  • L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
  • A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
  • M. Mills, Committee Coordinator

The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the singing of “O Canada.”

Mayor B. Vrbanovic recognized Black History Month and Black Heritage Month and the Hymn to Freedom was presented. 

On motion by Councillor P. Singh, the minutes of the regular meeting held January 12, 2026, and special meetings held January 5, 12, and 26, 2026, as mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted.

Bethany Pearce, Supervisor of Older Adult Services, recognized the city's recent award of the Age Friendly Community Award and highlighted the older adult programming growth in recent years assisted by both budget allocations and enhanced communication of programming guides. Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged the work of the Mayor's Advisory Council for Seniors (MACKS).

Councillor P. Singh left and returned to the meeting at this time. 

  • Moved byCouncillor B. Ioannidis
    Seconded byCouncillor D. Chapman

    "That pursuant to section 15.3 of Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, that Varfley Dolleh be added to the agenda as a delegation to the Council agenda this date, to discuss youth employment opportunities within the City of Kitchener, which is not a matter on this agenda."

    Carried

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time. 

V. Dolleh provided a presentation proposing the City expand its' funding of paid summer jobs for youth and expressed concern with the lack of options for youth and increasing homelessness.

Councillor P. Singh returned to the meeting at this time. 

  • Moved byCouncillor S. Davey
    Seconded byCouncillor J. Deneault

    "That the report of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, dated January 26, 2026, listed as items 7.1.a to 7.1.c on the agenda this date, be adopted."

    Carried
  • "That the Cowan Recreation Centre Reserve Fund be approved as detailed in the reserve information sheet attached to Financial Services Department report FIN-2026-032."

    Carried
  • "That the Brownfield Remediation Program Application for 161 Ottawa Street South, dated June 4, 2015, be approved as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2025-463; and,

    That in exchange for a completed and filed Record of Site Condition for the subject property, the owner(s), Jozo Ilic and Kata Ilic, will be provided a tax incremental grant on the redevelopment of the property in the form of a rebate issued on a proportionate basis, annually, for a period to be prescribed but not to exceed 10 years, on City taxes in an amount equal to 100% of the City of Kitchener Tax Increment; and,

    That the City Tax Increment be defined as the difference between the City of Kitchener portion of real property taxes for the 2015 taxation year and the new City of Kitchener portion of real property taxes levied as a result of a new assessment by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) following completion of the project as compensation for the remediation of the above subject lands; and,

    That the City property tax increment grant is not to exceed $62,960 based on the City tax increment; payable in 2026; and,

    That the Region of Waterloo Brownfield Coordinator be circulated a copy of any decision made by Kitchener City Council regarding this Application; and further,

    That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Agreement, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with Jozo Ilic and Kata Ilic, to implement the provisions of the Brownfield Financial Incentive Program Application for 161 Ottawa St South, as outlined in the Development Services Department Report."

    Carried
  • "That Corporate Services Department report COR-2026-007, Artificial Intelligence (AI) education session with Communitech, be received as information."

    Carried

Mayor B. Vrbanovic highlighted that city staff continue to work with Region of Waterloo staff on the recent water supply issue and expect the matter to return to Council in the next meeting cycle. 

D. McGoldrick responded to questions from Council regarding winter maintenance and snow removal and request to return to council with an information report on activities undertaken by the end of June 2026. 

  • Moved byCouncillor S. Stretch
    Seconded byCouncillor J. Deneault

    "Further to the discussions at the in camera meeting of Council held on May 5, 2025, the Chief Administrative Officer is hereby directed to take into account the revised terms and conditions discussed at the in camera meeting of February 2, 2026 when exercising the authority granted by Council through its resolution of May 5, 2025 (Item 12.3.a in the minutes of that meeting)."

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor A. Owodunni
    Seconded byCouncillor B. Ioannidis

    "That staff be directed to engage a consultant to undertake a scoped review of council remuneration with any changes to be effective for the 2026-2030 council term; and further,

    That policy GOV-COU-020 (Council Compensation) be updated by as part of this review."

    Carried

On motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.