Community and Infrastructure Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30 P.m. - 4:30 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 (virtually)
• Councillor B. Ioannidis (virtually)
• Councillor M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor S. Stretch

Absent:

• Councillor P. Singh

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
• B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
• G. MacNeil, Director, By-law Enforcement
• A. McCrimmon-Jones, Manager, Transportation Safety & Policy
• H. Fylactou, Manager, Enforcement
• C. Payne, Project Manager, Transportation Safety
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
• M. Mills, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Community and Infrastructure Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 2:35 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Consent Items

3.1

2025 Procedural By-law Amendments, Chapter 25 (Procedure) City of Kitchener Municipal Code, COR-2025-162

The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2025-162, dated March 31, 2025, recommending amendments to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. 

• On motion by Councillor C. Michaud

  it was resolved:

  "That Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, be repealed and replaced, with the By-law attached as Appendix ‘B’ to Corporate Services Department report COR-2025-162."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Vision Zero Annual Project Update, DSD-2025-040

The Committee considered Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-040, dated March 28, 2025, recommending that staff be directed to implement the proposed 2025 safety improvements as outlined in report DSD-2025-040; and, that various proposed traffic calming measures be adopted. 

C. Payne provided an overview of the staff report. A. McCrimmon-Jones and B. Cronkite were also in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. 

O. Otterbein, J. Alaga, D. Icer, R. Kumar, A. Shipstone, L. Maxwell and D. Jeske provided presentations highlighting the safety risks that pedestrians face when crossing Stirling Avenue South, mid-block in close proximity to Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute due to the lack of crosswalks, aggressive driving and dangerous speeds of vehicles travelling on that road. The delegations further expressed support for the proposed safety improvement on Stirling Avenue South outlined in the report.

• On motion by Councillor S. Davey

  it was resolved:

  "That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2025 safety improvements as outlined in Attachment 'A' (Vision Zero 2025 Safety Improvements) of Development Services Department report DSD-2025-040 to support implementation of the Vision Zero Strategy; and,

  That an All-Way Stop be installed at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and St Leger Street; and,

  That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type B be installed on East Avenue at Borden Street (in front of the Kitchener Auditorium); and,

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

  That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly."

  Carried

4.2

Fireworks By-law Review, CSD-2025-052

The Committee considered Community Services Department report, CSD-2025-052, dated February 5, 2025, recommending amendments to the Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law. 

Councillor M. Johnston left the meeting at this time. Councillor S. Davey assumed Chair position.

H. Fylactou provided an overview of the Staff report. In response to questions from the Committee, H. Fylactou advised the recommendation being presented to the Committee this date was developed by a working group made up of municipalities in the Region of Waterloo and each of these municipalities is putting forward the same recommendation outlined in the Staff report, to their respective City Councils. G. MacNeil was also in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.

Councillor M. Johnston re-entered the meeting at this time and re-assumed Chair position.

Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to approve the staff recommendation outlined in CSD-2025-052.

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward an amendment to Councillor B. Ioannidis' motion to include an additional clause, that Staff report back to the Committee with a plan to transition away from City run fireworks displays to an alternative such as drone light displays. Councillor D. Chapman noted the intention of her amendment is to address the negative environmental impacts of fireworks.

A recorded vote was requested for this matter. 

Councillor Chapmans' amendment was then voted on and LOST, on a recorded vote with Councillors S, Davey, J. Deneault, B. Ioannidis, C. Michaud, A. Owodunni, S. Stretch and Mayor B. Vrbanovic voting in opposition; and, Councillors D. Chapman, M. Johnston and D. Schnider voting in favour. 

On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis

• it was resolved:

  "That the Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law be amended to prohibit the sale of Fireworks within the city of Kitchener starting January 2026, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2025-052; and,

  That the increased regulations governing the permitted times for setting off fireworks, be approved, as proposed in Report CSD-2025-052; and,

  That the proposed by-law attached to Report CSD-2025-052, to repeal and replace the existing Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law (Chapter 739), as noted in Appendix A, be approved, and that the Clerk be authorized to update Chapter 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code to reflect the proposed changes; and further,

  That the Administrative Penalty By-law Fines for Firework attached to Report CSD-2025-052, be approved. "

  In Favour (9)	Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor B. Ioannidis (virtually), Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D. Chapman, Councillor A. Owodunni (virtually), Councillor J. Deneault, and Councillor S. Stretch
  Contra (1)	Mayor B. Vrbanovic

  Carried, on a recorded vote (9 to 1)

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.

Marilyn Mills
Committee Coordinator