Special Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, May 08, 2023 at 11:00 A.m. - 3:00 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 A. Owodunni
• Councillor P. Singh
• Councillor B. Ioannidis
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor A. Clancy

Absent:

• Councillor C. Michaud
• Councillor M. Johnston

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrator
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
• D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• K. Dever, Director, Strategy and Corporate Performance
• A. Qureshi, Director, Facilities Management
• K. Daley, Senior Strategist, Carbon and Energy Planning
• B. Powell, Manager of Facility Assets & Energy Management
• L. Reesor-Keller, Project Manager, Energy Management
• A. Fritz-Walters, Engage & Program Manager Strategic Plan
• A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer
• A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
• M. Mills, Committee Administrator

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1.

Commencement

A special meeting of City Council was held at 11:07 a.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. 

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

There were no pecuniary interests declared.

3.

Strategic Session - Part One

3.1

CorCAP (Corporate Climate Action Plan) 2.0, DSD-2023-216

Council considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-216, dated April 18, 2023, regarding the development of the City of Kitchener's second generation corporate climate action plan.

A. Cipriani provided an overview of the corporate climate action highlighting four domains that have been addressed. It was noted facilities and fleet/equipment operations consist of the greatest contribution to the City's Corporate Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Three pathways to reducing the City's GHG were presented including prioritizing energy conservation, switching fuel sources to low carbon energy sources and , generating renewable energy locally. A. Cipriani further advised staff were in attendance this date to receive direction from Council on the future focus for reducing these corporate GHG emissions.

J. Readman noted the proposed budget for the Corporate Climate Action Plan will be for a 25 year period and the cost of this initiative is anticipated to reduce as technological advances for addressing GHG emissions are developed. 

In response to questions from the Committee, B. Powell noted a condition assessment is being undertaken to determine methods by which corporate GHG emissions can be reduced at Kitchener City Hall. 

In response to discussions regarding supports for homeowners to adopt net zero energy sources, D. McGoldrick noted a report related to this matter will be brought forward for Council consideration on Monday May 29, 2023.

Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time and re-entered. 

A. Cipriani led Council through a Mentimeter exercise to receive feedback on the following questions:

1. I am interested in exploring strategies to achieve net-zero corporate emissions by 2050
2. I am interested in prioritizing corporate efforts in the next Corporate Climate Action Plan on GHG reductions along these three pathways (prioritizing energy conservation, switching fuel sources to low carbon energy sources and, generating renewable energy locally).
3. I am interested in prioritizing efforts in the next Corporate Climate Action Plan on corporate GHG reduction from the two focus areas (Facilities and, Fleet and Equipment)
4. As we develop the plan and seek support to adopt a new plan with a deeper commitment what are you looking for in a plan?

4.

In-camera Meeting Authorization 

Moved by Councilor A. Clancy 

Seconded by Councillor S. Davey

• "That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following the special council meeting this date to consider three items including a matter with item information supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency, a security of property and solicitor client-privilege and a land acquisition matter as authorized by Sections 239 (a) (c) (f) and (h) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."

5.

Recess and Reconvene

The Special Council meeting recessed at 12:20 p.m. and reconvened at 1:10 p.m., Chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present except Councillors C. Michaud and M. Johnston.

6.

Strategic Session - Part Two 

6.1

2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Vision, Key Priorities and Approach to Action Planning, CAO-2023-217

Council considered report CAO-2023-217, dated May 3, 2023, regarding a progress update on the work underway to define the City’s next Strategic Plan for 2023-2026.

J. Stephens-Wells, Chair of Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee provided comments on behalf of Compass Kitchener regarding the City's 20 year vision, key priorities and the approach to Strategic Action planning. It was noted the Compass Kitchener Committee believes the proposed Vision Statement and story outlined in the Staff report effectively captures the community's aspirations for the City and solutions to concerns raised through engagement initiatives. J. Stephens-Wells also noted Compass Kitchener believes the Strategic Plan should be designed to have a degree of flexibility in order to enable adaptation to changing circumstances and to face new challenges and opportunities. 

Councillor J. Deneault left the meeting at this time and re-entered.

K. Dever introduced the 2023-2026 strategic plan development presentation.

A. Fritz-Walters noted the strategic plan development is currently in phase 5 which focuses on developing strategic indicators and actions. A. Fritz-Walters provided a summary of Council feedback from May 2022 till today's date and the steps that have been take to ensure feedback is implemented. It was noted in February 2023, Council indicated support for the 5 Strategic goal areas that were presented. A. Fritz-Walters presented the proposed vision statement "Building a city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us – and each other" and the vision story "Together in 2043". 

A. Fritz-Walters also outlined the proposed key priorities for 2023-2026 that will achieve progress towards the City's 20 year vision.

Councillor P. Singh noted the proposed vision story statement is broad and may not fully encompass Council feedback for the Strategic Plan to be bold. 

A. Fritz-Walters then requested Council feedback on the following questions:

1. What are your reflections on, and reactions to, the Vision Story and Vision Statement? Have Community and Council aspirations for a desired Kitchener 20 years from now been captured?

2. Do the Key Priorities within each Strategic Goal Area capture Council’s broad and collective priorities? 

3. What opportunities or challenges do you see with establishing an initial set of Actions for the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan? 

Councilor P. Singh noted, Kitchener is a technology City and thrives through economic development as such the Strategic Plan should outline strategic goals related to economic development, environmental stewardship and Kitchener being a livable City. Councillor S. Davey expressed agreement noting opportunities such as technology innovation are not clear and distinct in the proposed Strategic Plan. 

Councillor A. Owodunni left meeting at this time. 

Councillor B. Ioannidis noted the proposed vision statement falls outside the role of City services and scope of influence.

Councillor  A. Owodunni re-entered the meeting at this time.  

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time and re-entered.

Councillor S. Davey left the meeting at this time and re-entered.

7.

Adjournment

On motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.