Finance and Corporate Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, March 17, 2025 at 3:00 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 (virtually)
• 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
• A. Fusco, Director, Legislated Services / City Clerk
• G. MacNeil, Director, By-law Enforcement
• D. Heuchert, Chief Fire Prevention Officer
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• E. Moorlag Silk, Manager, Service Coordination & Improvement
• O. Mise, Project Manager, Municipal Newcomer Strategy
• E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
• M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 3:07 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

3.

Consent Items

Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.2 listed on the
agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.

3.1

Surety Bonds Regulation, FIN-2025-088

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2025-088, dated March 3, 2025, recommending the housekeeping amendments required on the City’s investment policy FIN-PLA-605, attached as Appendix 'A ' to report FIN-2025-088, be approved.

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  "That the housekeeping amendments required on the City’s investment policy FIN-PLA-605, attached as Appendix 'A' to Financial Services Department report FIN-2025-088, be approved."

  Carried

3.2

Public Art Commission for Mill-Courtland Community Centre, DSD-2025-062

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2025-062, dated February 24, 2025, recommending approval of the commission and creation of a new public artwork, “Swoop,” by Agnes Niewiadomski and Michelle Purchase, be installed at Mill Courtland Community Centre as part of its expansion renovation.   

E. Rumble was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  "That the commission and creation of a new public artwork, “Swoop,” by Agnes Niewiadomski and Michelle Purchase, to be installed at Mill Courtland Community Centre as part of its expansion renovation, be approved as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2025-062; and further,

  That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to implement an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with the artist team, outlining the obligations of the commission."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Municipal Newcomer Strategy, Scope and Development Approach, CSD-2025-054

The Committee considered Community Services Department report, CSD-2025-054, dated March 6, 2025, recommending Council endorse the scope and approach for the development of the Municipal Newcomer Strategy outlined in the report. 

E. Moorlang Silk and O. Mise provided an overview of the report and responded to questions from the Committee. 

Councillor C. Michaud entered the meeting at this time.

T. Bedard, Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership addressed the Committee in support of the proposed Municipal Newcomer Strategy development approach. Further, T. Bedard advised the Committee, the next iteration of the collaborative Regional Strategy for supporting immigrants will be released that week and encouraged the City to continue to align its' future Newcomer Strategy with the the goals and objectives of the new Regional Immigration Strategy.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time.

• On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis (virtually)

  it was resolved:

  "That Council endorse the scope and approach outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2025-054 for the development of the Municipal Newcomer Strategy."

  Carried

4.2

Parks-Fireworks Exemption Tecumseh Park August 23, 2025, CSD-2025-048

The Committee considered Community Services Department report, CSD-2025-048, dated March 4, 2025, recommending an exemption to Chapters 270 (Parks), 450 (Noise), 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to Jennifer Emrich for a fireworks display in Tecumseh Park that will form part of a wedding reception taking place on August 23, 2025 between 9:30pm and 10pm, subject to conditions as outlined in the report.

G. MacNeil provided an overview of the staff report and responded to questions from the Committee. D. Heuchert was also in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic re-entered the meeting at this time.

• On motion by Councillor S. Stretch

  it was resolved:

  "That an exemption to Chapters 270 (Parks), 450 (Noise), 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to Jennifer Emrich for a fireworks display in Tecumseh Park that will form part of a wedding reception taking place in their backyard on August 23, 2025 between 9:30pm and 10pm, subject to the following conditions, which, if not complied with will render the exemption null and void, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2025-048:

  1. 1. A fireworks permit will be applied for and obtained by an approved Pyrotechnician or Fireworks Supervisor through Kitchener Fire Department.
     2. The approved fireworks company will provide a certificate of insurance.
     3. Weather conditions must be safe and conducive for a fireworks display, in the event of high winds or a fire ban, a display will not be permitted.
     4. The event organizers will ensure there is an on-site contact person accessible to correspond with City staff at all times during the event and agree to respond accordingly.
     5. The residents will circulate a letter to the surrounding neighbours advising them of the backyard wedding reception and fireworks display.
     6. The residents will ensure Tecumseh Park and the surrounding neighborhood is inspected the following day for any fallen debris which shall be removed and disposed of appropriately."
  Carried

4.3

2026 Municipal and School Board Election Alternative Voting Methods, COR-2025-001

The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report, COR-2025-001, dated February 24, 2025, recommending that Council reaffirms the use of vote tabulators for the 2026 Municipal Election and to authorize alternative voting methods outlined in the report.

A. Fusco provided an overview of the report and responded to questions from the Committee. 

The Committee requested additional voting locations within areas that are frequently used by residents including the Farmers Market and Kitchener City Hall be considered for the 2026 Election.

• On motion by Councillor D. Chapman

  it was resolved:

  "That Council reaffirms the use of vote tabulators for the 2026 Municipal Election, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-2025-001; and,

  That Council authorize the alternative voting methods outlined in report COR-2025-001; and direct the Clerk to bring forward the necessary by-law to implement the proposed alternative voting methods; and further,

  That the election reserve contribution be increased as outlined in report COR-2025-001."

  Carried

4.4

2025 Dog Designation Appeal Committee Review, COR-2025-111

The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report, COR-2025-111, dated February 24, 2025, recommending that staff be directed to proceed with the preferred committee structure/composition as outlined in Report COR-2025-111; and that staff also be directed to prepare the necessary council policy or by-law to implement said structure, prior to June 2025.

D. Saunderson provided an overview of the Staff report and responded to questions from the Committee. 

• On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic

  it was resolved: 

  "That staff be directed to proceed with Option 2 as the preferred committee structure/composition as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-2025-111; and further,

  That staff be directed to prepare the necessary council policy or by-law to implement the preferred committee structure/composition, prior to June 2025 for Council’s consideration."

  Carried

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.

 

Marilyn Mills 
Committee Coordinator