Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2014-12-01 S InauguralSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER The Inaugural Meeting of the 2014 -2018 City Council was held this date in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Kitchener, with all members present. The meeting opened with the singing of "O Canada" by Queen Helena Canadian Croatian Folklore Group. Ms. Jean Becker, Senior Advisor of Aboriginal Initiatives at Wilfrid Laurier University, gave an indigenous opening with invocations provided by Ms. Zainab Ramahi, Alumna of the Kitchener Youth Action Council and Father Dan Lobsinger, St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church. The Honourable Mr. Justice P.J. Flynn was called upon to induct the elected officials. As required by statue, the Declaration of Office, which incorporates the Oath of Allegiance, was taken by Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway - Sealock, P. Singh, B. loannidis, Z. Janecki, F. Etherington and S. Marsh. A musical selection by Ms. Lorna Heidt followed. Moved by Councillor Y. Fernandes Seconded by Councillor S. Marsh "That Clause 2 of the Striking Committee report, regarding the appointments of the Chairs and Vice - chairs of the Standing Committees of Council for the one -year period ending November 30, 2015, be adopted." Carried. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway- Sealock Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That Clauses 3 and 4 of the Striking Committee report, regarding the appointments to the legislated and /or statutory committees /tribunals as well as advisory committees of Council for the specified terms, be adopted." Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor Z. Janecki "That the balance of the Striking Committee report, be adopted." Carried. Carried. Mayor Berry Vrbanovic then delivered his Inaugural Address, a copy of which is appended and forms part of these minutes. Moved by Councillor J. Gazzola Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce the following by -laws for three readings and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times, be finally passed and numbered serially by the Clerk. a. Being a by -law to appoint an Acting Mayor. b. To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council. (By -law No. 2014 -135) (By -law No. 2014 - 136)." Carried. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -236- CITY OF KITCHENER Moved by Councillor F. Etherington Seconded by Councillor P. Singh "That the Inaugural Meeting of City Council be adjourned." Carried. On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. MAYOR CLERK SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -237- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL STRIKING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL REPORT 1. That Council consider applications received after the deadline date of September 19, 2014. 2. That the appointments of the Chairs and Vice - Chairs to the Standing Committees of Council for the one -year period ending November 30, 2015, be approved. Community & Infrastructure Services Committee Councillor B. loannidis (Chair) and Councillor F. Etherington (Vice- Chair) Finance & Corporate Services Committee Councillor S. Davey (Chair) and Councillor J. Gazzola (Vice- Chair) Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee Councillor P. Singh (Chair) and Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock (Vice- Chair) 3. That the appointments to the legislated and /or statutory committees /tribunals of Council for the specified terms, be approved. Animal Designation Appeal Committee (2 years) Councillor Y. Fernandes, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor S. Marsh (alternate) Belmont Improvement Area Board of Directors (4 years) Councillor Z. Janecki Centre in the Square Board of Directors (1 year — Council; 3 years — Citizen) Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor S. Davey, Councillor P. Singh, Councillor J. Gazzola, Hilary Abel, Jennifer Appleby- Vines, Dr. Paul Salvini Committee of Adjustment (4 years) Denny Cybalski, Andrew Head, Bob McColl, Jennifer Meader, Preet Kohli Committee of Revision (1 year) Councillor Z. Janecki, Councillor D. Schnider Dog Designation Appeal Committee (2 years) Councillor Y. Fernandes, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor S. Marsh (alternate) Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (1 year) Councillor K. Gal loway- Sealock Kitchener Downtown Business Improvement Association (4 years) Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor F. Etherington, Councillor S. Marsh Kitchener Housing Inc. Board of Directors (4 years — Council; 3 years - Citizen) Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor F. Etherington, Councillor B. loannidis, Mike Seiling, Andre Chin, Preet Kohli SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -238- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL STRIKING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL REPORT (CONT'D) M (Cont'd) Kitchener Power Corporation Board of Directors (1 year) Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor J. Gazzola, Councillor P. Singh, Dave Schnarr, Mark Jackson Kitchener Public Library Board (4 years) Councillor K. Galloway, Councillor S. Marsh, Tim Blundon, Wayne Buchholtz, Jacquie McLaren, Erin Rudland, Stephanie Tanner, Kelly McManus, Harley Rashleigh- Berry, Michelle Dow, Cory Ernst, Jessica Kropf (alternate), Katherine Andrews (alternate) Property Standards Committee (2 years) Karen Taylor- Harrison, Christina Rooney, Kevin Young, Nathan Gwinn That the following appointments to Advisory Committees of Council for the specified terms, be approved. Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (2 years) Councillor D. Schnider, Shirley Madill, Shantal Myers, Dayna Walls, D. Morton, Wayne Addison, Kristy Smith, Mark Derro, Danielle Deveau, Eric Rumble, Sam Varteniuk, Linda Zensner, Alana Bell, Julie Allred, Kate Swift Compass Kitchener (2 years) Fadi Abd- Ulhamid, Nathan Dorsch, Lynn Gazzola, Chris Hyde, Graham Jackson, Peter Lennox, Daniella McIntosh, Mark Paul, Lori Trumper, Tristan Wilkin, Kirk Zurell, Julie Mallette, Zoe Zahara, Robert Villamar, Bojana Savic Cycling & Trails Advisory Committee (2 years) Councillor Y. Fernandes, Terry Boutilier, Lee Chandler, Marta Generoux, Daniel Hoshowsky, Darren Kropf, Gywneth Mitchell, Victoria Van Cappellen, Jeff Sanderson, Kevin Young, Deb Chapman, Peter Dedes, Suzie Taka, Mike Boos Downtown Action & Advisory Committee (2 years) Councillor F. Etherington, Councillor S. Marsh, Melissa Bowman, Dean Knipfel, Jessica Kropf, Kevin Muir, Brian Santos, Scott Thomson, Brad Watson, Erin Atchison, Zenia Horton, George Trihenea, Andre Chin, Mallory Wheldon, Don Zehr, Amina Gilani, Tyson Bond, David Harmes Economic Development Advisory Committee (2 years - Council) Councillor S. Davey, Councillor B. loannidis, Councillor P. Singh Environmental Committee (2 years) Councillor Y. Fernandes, Tina Belanger, Stacey Danckert, Evonne Donaher, Tia Driver, Cynthia Gaetani, John Jackson, Alana MacKinnon, Elizabeth McFarlane, Katarina Milicic, Brenda Picard, Venkat Raja, Marcus Yaeger, Victor Salajan Heritage Kitchener (2 years) Councillor Z. Janecki, Councillor J. Gazzola, Megan Bell, Martin Timmerman, Amanda Hooykaas, Steve Burrows, Steven Thomson, Stephanie Halapija, Slavko Miladinovic SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -239- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL STRIKING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL REPORT (CONT'D) 4. (Cont'd) Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee (2 years) Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor S. Marsh, Laura Roberts, Doug McKlusky, Jeff Pelich, Andrew Bieronski, Nancy Bird, Dana Christiaen, Elizabeth Clarke, Mike Farwell, Santiago Grande, Abdul Rahimi, Chris Letizi, Julie Nicholls 5. That the following appointments to the other Committees / Organizations for the specified terms, be approved. Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (4 years) Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor J. Gazzola (alternate), John Nother Kitchener - Waterloo Art Gallery — Board of Directors (1 year) Councillor S. Marsh Grand River Hospital — Board of Trustees (1 year) Councillor Z. Janecki Homer Watson House Foundation (1 year) Councillor Y. Fernandes Horticultural Society — Kitchener — Board of Directors 0 year) Councillor K. Gal loway - Sealock Huron Natural Area Joint Ventures Committee (1 year) Councillor Y. Fernandes, Councillor K. Gal loway - Sealock Kitchener in Bloom Committee (1 year) Councillor P. Singh Multicultural Centre of K -W Board of Directors (1 year) Councillor S. Marsh Oktoberfest Inc. Advisory Council (1 year) Councillor B. loannidis, Councillor D. Schnider Wilfrid Laurier University — Board of Governors (1 year) Councillor K. Gal loway - Sealock 6. That notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 3.1 of Council Policy 1 -63 (Appointments to Boards and Committees), Council hereby confirms the following appointments in excess of the maximum allowable years of service; namely: Denny Cybalski — Committee of Adjustment Andrew Head — Committee of Adjustment Bob McColl — Committee of Adjustment. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -240- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL STRIKING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL REPORT (CONT'D) 7. That Kitchener City Council consents to Councillor P. Singh serving on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and its Committees and agrees to pay any costs associated with attendance at its meetings. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -241- CITY OF KITCHENER Mayor Berry Vrbanovic Inaugural Address Monday, December 1, 2014 Your Honour Justice Pat Flynn, Mayors Zehr & Christie, elected officials from the federal and provincial governments, family, friends, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening and welcome to tonight's inaugural celebration of the 2014 -2018 City Council. On behalf of my 10 City Council colleagues and myself, a sincere thank you for joining us for this special celebration as the new Council for the City of Kitchener takes office. Tonight, two new councillors and eight returning councillors have taken their declarations of office. And I am honoured to be sworn in as your new Mayor. The privilege to serve one's fellow citizens is a privilege not to be taken lightly. It is indeed a humbling experience to know that thousands of residents have bestowed their faith in you to lead their ward, or in my case, to lead our city. I have often argued, that there is no more noble profession than public service. In fact, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Tonight, the eight men, and three women sitting around this horseshoe have taken that very commitment — a commitment to serve the residents — all residents - of our community — as your City Council. I am honoured to have the privilege to work together with them over the next four years on your behalf. Thank you for entrusting the leadership of our community to us. Serving this community has been my life's work and I begin my first mayoral address humbled by the oath that I've just taken and by the trust that you have bestowed in me. Thank you. I am excited to work together with this Council and staff on behalf of our more than 230,000 citizens. I know that my colleagues all recognize what a great privilege we've been granted and we take this responsibility very seriously. I would also like to thank all of the candidates who put their name on a ballot for this municipal election. It is a courageous decision to run for office. Thank you for being a part of our local democratic process. Congratulations and welcome back to our eight returning councillors — Scott Davey, John Gazzola, Yvonne Fernandes, Kelly Galloway - Sealock, Paul Singh, Bil loannidis, Zyg Janecki and Frank Etherington. I also want to extend a warm welcome to our two newly - elected councillors — Dave Schnider in Ward 2 and Sarah Marsh in Ward 10. 1 hope that you will find as much personal satisfaction in working with our community and serving the public as I have. Carl Zehr and Dan Glenn- Graham have left our Council horseshoe but I would like to take a moment to acknowledge their contributions to our city. Carl Zehr has served our community for the past 26 years — the last 17 as Mayor of Kitchener. He is Kitchener's longest serving Mayor. And today, he finally got a much deserved day off. Carl has left a legacy of community building and success throughout our community and will be remembered for his many things, but to me, he will be remembered for his quiet leadership, his commitment to downtown revitalization and his focus on the economic renewal of our community. Dan Glenn- Graham served as Ward 10 Councillor for the past four years before entering the mayoral race. He was a consummate community - builder. For three years in a row, his ward hosted the most neighbourhood events of any ward in Kitchener under the Festival of Neighbourhoods banner. His contributions were important and will not be forgotten. Thank you, Dan. Ladies and gentlemen, Kitchener has elected a strong council with a clear mandate. • To manage our city's growth • To ensure that Kitchener continues to enjoy a growing economy SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -242- CITY OF KITCHENER • And, to deliver efficient services with a greater focus on the core services we deliver to citizens every day as well as customer service. This is what we know it will take to continue to build a better Kitchener together — for today and for generations to come. In fact, working together — Council, citizens, staff and community partners — will be critical to our success in delivering on this mandate. We must work collaboratively together as a Council, respecting that we all bring different strengths, passions, values and perspectives to the table — and knowing that those things give us strength, they do not have to divide us. We may have campaigned as individual candidates, but now is the time to come together and govern collectively. We will do this by working together with citizens — engaging them in key decisions, harnessing their energy and passion, and listening to them as we build the Kitchener our citizens want and deserve. We will do this by working together with our community and inter - governmental partners and engaging the private sector in new ways. And, we will do this by working respectfully with our incredibly dedicated and professional City staff — those who do the work on behalf of citizens each day and who provide us with an incredible depth of expertise in all the ways we're building a better city. I know that we won't always all agree — and we shouldn't. I believe that healthy debate and different perspectives about the challenges and opportunities before us always contribute to the best decisions — the right decisions. My point is that one of the most important measures of our success — and how much of it we can achieve together — will be found in how we treat each other as people. My commitment to all of you — Council, staff, citizens and partners — is that we may not always agree, but I will always treat you with the fairness and respect that you deserve. I am determined to have a Council that works together because, after 20 years in office, I've seen — many, many times — the incredible impact an engaged and visionary Council, that is able to put aside its differences, can have on this city. Over the years, we have done great things with great vision — and all by working together. The expressway, our gas utility, The Aud, community centres, a health sciences campus, a digital media hub — these are just a few examples. And there are many more to come. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get to work on building a better Kitchener— together. I believe that Kitchener City Council is well - positioned to deliver on the mandate citizens have given us. We're very fortunate to have the powerful combination of the past municipal and leadership experience of our returning councillors and the talents, energy and new perspectives of our two new councillors. I can already see some of the ways they will each contribute to building a better Kitchener over this next term of Council. In Ward 1, Scott Davey, has a background and passion for the role that technology and innovation can play in creating efficiencies in how the city operates and how we can improve customer service for citizens. Scott was instrumental in driving the City to develop and implement our E- Services Strategy earlier this year which included the launch of Ping Street — Kitchener's first mobile app. I look forward to working with Scott as we look to find other ways to connect and engage with citizens over this term. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -243- CITY OF KITCHENER Dave Schnider, our newly - elected Ward 2 Councillor has some big shoes to fill! I'm only kidding, Dave as they pale in size to the ones left for me to fill! For the past six terms, I had the privilege of representing Ward 2 and let me just say that I couldn't be more pleased to see Dave in this seat. I think it goes without saying that he is `Mr. Community.' Dave understands the importance of neighbourhoods and community. He is passionate about us being more connected and knowing our neighbours and I look forward to working with him to create strong neighbourhoods and Kitchener's first `Neighbourhood Day' in the future. In Ward 3, returning Councillor John Gazzola, who was acclaimed in the recent election, brings a critical depth of municipal and financial experience that he has gained through his 40 -plus year career as both a ward councillor and former City of Kitchener CAO. John also has a passion and pride for Kitchener's Hidden Valley area and I look forward to working with him as we explore the future options for this natural gem. Yvonne Fernandes, our returning Ward 4 Councillor, also cares deeply about the future of Hidden Valley. Yvonne is a dedicated and passionate advocate for the environment and community trails. She enjoys a love of cycling and would probably tell you that she's had some of her best conversations with residents while out travelling the trails. I'm looking forward to working with Yvonne to see how we may be able to speed up the implementation of the Trails Master Plan. In Ward 5, Councillor Kelly Galloway - Sealock is beginning her third term. Kelly believes in complete neighbourhood planning which ensures that residents have easy access to all of the amenities they need within their own neighbourhoods. She has long been an advocate for more parks, trails and community centres including moving ahead more quickly on the development of recreation facilities in the southwest end of the city. This is also something I'm determined to make a focal point for the 2015 budget process. Kelly has also been an advocate for more women in municipal office. She made history by having her first child during this past term of Council. Tonight, she becomes the first councillor elected to office while awaiting the arrival of her second child. Congratulations Kelly. One of the things that is most important to Ward 6 Councillor Paul Singh is ensuring that residents are informed and engaged about important decisions and projects. During his first term on Council, Paul made impressive and substantial efforts to connect with his constituents. As an entrepreneur, Paul also understands the challenges that small and independent business owners face. I look forward to working with him as we focus on making the growth of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre an integral piece of Kitchener's Economic Development Strategy. Returning Ward 7 Councillor Bil loannidis not only believes in the importance of growing the economy but he is doing his part. Bil's efforts in his first term of Council were successful in bringing Big Musicfest to Kitchener. In its first year, the music festival drew 50,000 people from all over the world and created a $3.5 million boost to the local economy. Bil understands the potential impact of music and digital media on our economy and I look forward to working with him on building our Musicworks Strategy and ramping up on the initial momentum of digital media in Kitchener. As a former City of Kitchener planner for more than 20 years, returning Ward 8 Councillor Zyg Janecki reminds us of our history as a city — where we've been and how the city continues to evolve from a planning perspective. Zyg understands what we need to do to manage growth in the future and I look forward to working with him on providing guidance to something I believe, and many citizens believe, is a priority — the development of new residential infill guidelines. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -244- CITY OF KITCHENER In Ward 9, returning Councillor Frank Etherington recognizes that arts and culture is an important foundation of a growing economy — from our grassroots organizations, like The Registry Theatre and K -W Little Theatre, to our legacy organizations like the Centre in the Square and the KW Symphony. We know there are some challenges there but I look forward to working with Frank and these important community organizations as we focus on finding solutions that support and sustain our arts community. While Sarah Marsh, our Ward 10 Councillor, is a new face on Council, she is no stranger to the City of Kitchener. Sarah has devoted countless hours over the past number of years serving on Compass Kitchener, a citizens' advisory committee which annually grades the City on its progress on our shared community priorities. Sarah has done great work to ensure residents have meaningful community engagement opportunities through the former Who- Are -You Kitchener? campaign and on the recent Your Kitchener, Your Say campaign. Her experience will be invaluable as we work together to explore how we will engage residents on key projects including LRT and parks. PAUSE As I mentioned earlier, serving this community has been my life's work. My love for public service was first inspired as a boy of 14 when I worked on a campaign for the late John Sweeney. John was a role model, a mentor and an incredible man of principled leadership. I am pleased that his wife Kay is here this evening. My career in public service since then, as many of you know, hasn't just been in public office. Before being elected to Council, I was an employee of the City of Kitchener for many years. The Mayor's chair sure is a long way from my first jobs selling tickets at Cameron Heights Pool, working as a page and custodian at KPL, and as an intern in the Clerk's and the Mayor's Office over three summers during university. I certainly never dreamed I'd end up addressing you as Mayor tonight when I was working in the Planning Department, or when I later went on to work in IT as a Client Services Co- ordinator and Technical Support Specialist. Having been a City employee for all those years, I can honestly say that I know what inspires our staff to be so proud and to go the extra mile on your behalf every day. It's the same thing that motivates me — an unwavering commitment to providing the best service possible to our citizens. And I thank staff for that. Before I conclude this evening, I would also like to thank a few other important people. First, thank you to the people of Kitchener who took time to go to the polls. You brought me and these 10 councillors to this moment tonight. Thank you very much. I recognize that I wasn't voted in by everyone — but my commitment is to everyone. I will be everyone's Mayor. Together, we will continue to build a better Kitchener. To my Mom who is in the audience tonight — and who has been my biggest supporter all my life — thank you for being there every step of the way, for all your sacrifices and for being here tonight as I realize this dream. My parents immigrated to Canada from Croatia in 1969. They taught me the value of hard work, commitment and integrity — and to take my responsibilities seriously. I owe them a debt of gratitude for those important life lessons. And while my father isn't here this evening, he passed away shortly after I was elected in 1994, 1 know he is here in spirit and his values will be his continued legacy in guiding me in my work. As a councillor for the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of serving under three previous City of Kitchener mayors — Dom Cardillo, Richard Christie and Carl Zehr — each of whom mentored me, SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2014 -245- CITY OF KITCHENER impacted my values and strengthened my desire to serve Kitchener. Thank you to each of you, and especially to Mayor Zehr for your guidance, your friendship and your support. I sincerely thank each of them and all of the colleagues I have had the privilege of learning from on Kitchener City Council over the years. Thank you to my campaign team — many of whom are in the audience this evening. I will always be grateful for your tireless efforts, your patience and passion and your above - and - beyond commitment to helping me get elected. To all of my family, friends and colleagues here this evening — who are too numerous to mention — thank you for being here to share in this momentous and historic occasion with me. You have been part of this journey with me for the past 20 years, and I am honoured that you can join me this evening. I will leave you with these final thoughts... Every day, I am inspired by the people of our city, my colleagues, staff and community partners — by your hopes, by your dreams, by your determination and by our shared desire to build the best Kitchener for all of us, for today and for generations to come. When I hold the mirror before all of you, I see active, engaged, adventurous, dynamic and creative people. I see people who have adopted the pioneering spirit that is so much a part of Kitchener's fabric and channeled it into the arts, sciences, technology, business, medicine and education. I see people who, like the city itself, are accessible, diverse and welcoming. Together, we have done — and will do — so much. Some things will happen quickly. Other things will take longer. In my office, I have a plaque, and it reads...... Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of children, who leaves the world better than they found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earth's beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of themselves. I am incredibly inspired by those words and the work before us. As we work together in the days and years ahead, I make these pledges to you: • Once again, that we may not always agree, but I will always treat you with the fairness and respect you deserve. • That I will work together with all of you. • That I am listening. And I will keep listening. • That every decision I make is what I believe in my heart is best for this City and for all of the people of Kitchener — today and for generations to come. That is my standard. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to get to work on building a better Kitchener — together. Thank you.