Special Council Meeting

Minutes

Monday, August 11, 2025 at 4:00 P.m. - 6:00 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 M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor S. Stretch

Absent:

• Councillor B. Ioannidis

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
• B. Lam, Acting General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• Cory Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
• Greg St. Louis, Director, Gas & Water Utilities
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

A meeting of City Council was held at 4:09 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.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Staff Reports

3.1

Home Renovations Savings Program, INS-2025-350

Council considered Home Renovations Saving Program, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2025-030, dated August 6, 2025, recommending participation of the provincial Home Renovations Saving Program. G. St. Louis, Director, Gas and Utilities, provided a high-level overview of the report and responded to questions from Council. 

D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that there will be a significant budget implication with the recommended option, noting the Province did express their interest in offering a streamline program through all utility providers, which was factored in when making the recommendation.

In response to questions related to retroactivity, G. St. Louis advised once agreements with Enbridge are in place, the city will start the program in the fall, noting retroactive rebates back to January 1, 2025 were not factored in to the financial considerations as outlined in the report. In response to further questions, G. St. Louis provided a list of the services that would be eligible for rebates.

• Moved by Councillor P. Singh
  Seconded by Councillor S. Davey

  "That staff be directed to participate with the Province of Ontario, Enbridge Gas Inc. and the Independent Electric System Operator, in the Home Renovations Savings Program through a “One-Window” approach, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2025-350; and,

  That the General Manager of Infrastructure Services be authorized to execute a service agreement on behalf of Kitchener Utilities with Enbridge Gas Inc. to deliver the Home Renovations Saving Program to Kitchener Utilities customers through a “one-window” approach; said agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,

  That staff be directed to incorporate the necessary program funding for the Home Renovations Savings Program rebates into future Kitchener Utilities budgets."

  Carried

4.

Heritage Kitchener Report – August 4, 2025

4.1

Heritage Permit Application HPA-2022-V-017 - 57 Jubilee Drive

Council considered Heritage Permit Application HPA-2022-V-017 - 57 Jubilee Drive, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-333, which was considered at the Heritage Kitchener Advisory Committee on August 5, 2025. G. Stevenson, Director, Development & Housing Approvals, was in attendance to respond to questions related to the subject Heritage Permit Application and the heritage process approval process. It was further noted Kurtis McBride, applicant, was also in attendance to respond to questions from Council if required.

Concerns were acknowledged by staff about the height of the parapet and additional work that could potentially be done to work with the applicant where possible to try to have the new addition more align with the existing roof line was noted. G. Stevenson responded to further questions about the Heritage Permit Approval process; as well as heritage conservation and staff considerations when reviewing and approving building improvements.

• Moved by Councillor C. Michaud
  Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman

  “That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2022-V-017 be approved, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-333, to permit a rear addition on the property municipally addressed as 57 Jubilee Drive in accordance with the supplementary information submitted with the application and subject to the following condition: 

  1.    That the final building permit be reviewed and approved by the City’s Heritage Planner prior to the  issuance of a building permit in accordance with the final approved site plan.”

  Carried

5.

Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic

None.

6.

In-camera Meeting Authorization 

• Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
  Seconded by Councillor C. Michaud

  "That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following the special council meeting this date to consider two matters including confidential information about competitive position/contracts/negotiations and a solicitor-client privilege matter as authorized by Sections 239 (f) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."

  Carried

7.

By-laws

7.1

Three Readings

• Moved by Councillor S. Stretch
  Seconded by Councillor J. Deneault

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

7.1.a

To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for August 11, 2025.

(By-law 2025-085)

Carried

8.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:39 p.m.