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APRIL 2, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 6:37 p.m. this date, attended by Mayor B. Vrbanovic
and Councillors F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes and P. Singh. The purpose of this meeting was a joint
briefing session regarding ION construction.
Kitchener Staff Present: Messrs. M. May and J. Willmer, and Ms. C. Tarling, City Clerk.
Others Present: City of Waterloo Council members, Region of Waterloo Council members, Region of
Waterloo staff and GrandLinq staff.
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.
1. JOINT BRIEFING SESSION — 2015 ION CONSTRUCTION
The purpose of the meeting was to provide information regarding progress on the ION construction
project, to share the construction plan for the next six (6) months, and to answer any questions
regarding the construction and its impact on citizens.
GrandLinq staff provided some background regarding construction which started in the summer of
2014 stating that safety for pedestrians, drivers and workers is their number one priority. Information
was provided concerning the various types of signage that have been devised to safely direct
pedestrians and drivers along the detour routes. In addition, ensuring traffic is delineated from the
construction zone was identified as being very important to protect both the construction workers and
drivers.
Staff stated they have a strong focus on communication and outlined the various means by which
they are communicating with the community including meetings, a project hot -line, emails, social
media, and their website which provides an interactive map showing where construction is taking
place. GrandLinq staff is also planning a multi - channel advertising campaign via CTV, radio and print
media. Staff acknowledged it is impossible there will not be an impact on people so in addition to the
previously- mentioned communication methods, they are providing 60 -day and 14 -day written notices
to residents and businesses along the construction route as well as information to City of Waterloo
and City of Kitchener staff to share with citizens. They indicated they are working closely with
businesses and their respective Business Improvement Associations to address their needs as much
as possible. They stated plans are being made to mitigate the impact on the summer patio season
and disruption to businesses during the Christmas season. Staff reported they are also working with
the Grand River Hospital (GRH) and the doctors there to address concerns regarding access
including providing information to GRH patients, especially those who receive regular outpatient
services. They reported they are also coordinating with Grand River Transit (GRT) to facilitate bus
routes to maintain service levels and advised GIRT is communicating with their riders about detours
which might affect bus stops.
With respect to the construction disruptions, GrandLinq staff indicated there have been some
challenges with providing detours in certain areas to move people through with minimal delays and
recognized that Park Street has seen an increase in traffic versus Weber Street. They suggested a
police officer at Park and Glasgow Streets might be needed at peak hours to assist with the increased
traffic as a result of the detour.
GrandLinq staff confirmed fencing is required on either side of the tracks in Waterloo Park to ensure
pedestrian safety but assured Council members various options are being considered to erect fencing
that is aesthetically pleasing and will keep sightlines open while ensuring public safety.
City of Kitchener Council members inquired about the following:
• how to provide citizens with more information concerning the road closures and how to
connect the various websites to enable citizens to find information in one place;
• whether Ping Street could be used as an additional communication method;
• the need for a plan to proactively put police in place to assist at those intersections where
particular issues have been identified; and,
• the means by which public art can be incorporated into substation design to make them more
attractive.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 2, 2015 -59- CITY OF KITCHENER
In answer to these questions, GrandLinq staff advised they plan to connect with the Communications
professionals at the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener as well as at the Region to have a more
coordinated effort. They confirmed Ping Street will also be used to help guide citizens during the
construction.
With respect to the issue of deploying police, GrandLinq staff indicated police would not be needed at
signaled intersections and temporary traffic lights would be installed where warranted.
GrandLinq staff said they are looking to ensure substations fit into the neighbourhoods and so there
might be some opportunities to incorporate public art to assist with this endeavour.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting
Kitchener Council members also asked questions concerning Central Fresh Market, contact with
neighbourhood associations regarding station designs, and the impact on Conestoga College
students who might travel along the construction route.
With respect to the situation involving Central Fresh Market, GrandLinq staff replied there had been
several meetings with the owners in advance of the construction occurring and with City of Kitchener
staff to ensure a back entrance to the property would be maintained.
In response to whether any of the neighbourhood associations have been contacted to provide input
into design features for the ION stations, GrandLinq staff advised there have been meetings to
provide information and to obtain input on some design features but further consultations might not be
done by GrandLinq staff as they will occur later in the construction process.
GrandLinq staff reiterated that considerable coordination was taking place with GIRT to ensure
uninterrupted service to all riders including Conestoga College students.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK