HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2015-10-05 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 5, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 2:59 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with
all members present. Councillor J. Gazzola was in attendance for part of the meeting.
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.a. FCS -15 -146 — DIGITAL KITCHENER STRATEGY UPDATE
Council considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS -15 -146 (J. Watkins),
dated January 17, 2015, concerning a refresh to the existing Corporate Technology Strategic Plan
(CTSP) which is being referred to as Digital Kitchener.
Mr. D. Murray, Director of Technology Innovation & Services, presented the report advising that
through the 2015 Business Plan staff was also directed to explore opportunities to promote greater
use of technology and digital resources within the community. He noted six themes emerged through
the research and internal consultation process which support already underway: Open Government;
Engagement; Access /Infrastructure; Economy; e- Services; and, Education.
Mr. Murray advised the next stage of the project involves Information Technology (IT) staff
engagement and external consultation. He stated to facilitate that process and more precisely reflect
the project goals of enabling innovation through technology, the initial feedback has been categorized
into four themes: Access to Information; Digital Leadership and Inclusion; Infrastructure; and, Service
Delivery. He further advised that as the project progresses, these themes will continue to be refined
during the public consultation process ensuring a balance between community, corporate and IT
divisional needs.
Mr. Murray indicated over the next four months, the project team will engage IT staff to further explore
the needs of the Division and will also begin a public consultation process to identify top priorities and
receive feedback on the proposed Strategy. He noted the overall timeline for the Strategy remains on
track for completion in June 2016 with a status update on the Strategy being provided in February
2016.
Councillor J. Gazzola entered the meeting at this time.
Mr. Murray further advised staff is requesting Council's feedback on the following questions:
i. Have we missed any key stakeholders in our public consultation plan; and,
Do you have any feedback / suggestions with respect to our proposed public consultation?
Members offered the following suggestions:
additional stakeholder groups to be included in the public consultation process:
• Kitchener - Wilmot Hydro Inc. (their potential involvement in improving Broadband /
Fibre);
• Region of Waterloo (Broadband / Fibre);
• The City of Waterloo (Potential Partnerships, Fibre / Broadband);
• Communitech;
• Manufacture and Innovation Network;
• Seniors;
• Residents in low income brackets;
• Local Internet Providers;
• Chamber of Commerce;
• Multi- Cultural Centre;
• Neighbourhood Associations;
• New Canadians; and,
• Youth.
• feedback / suggestions provided on the proposed public consultation included:
• when engaging the public, there needs to be a focus in trying to determine how people
would like to use technology, and how it can further assist residents' ability to engage;
o review how people currently engage with the City and their frequency for engagement;
and,
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o ensure the public consultation process has a broad scope of residents, including but not
limited to: diversity, income level; and neighbourhoods.
ii. Considering the emerging priorities, what areas would you like to see Kitchener pursue
aggressively?
Members offered the following suggestions:
• Continue to pursue improving efficiency and ease of use of technology for residents to
engage;
• Internet of Things;
• Broadband and Fibre should continue to be a top priority;
• continue to try to lessen the digital divide and residents' ability to access information by
all mediums; and,
• continue to promote education around the use of technology, what the City is currently
doing, and continue to ask for feedback on what could be done better.
iii. Public Wi -Fi has been identified as an early priority, what is your reaction on the following?
a. Explore public / private partnerships to extend the reach of our public Wi -Fi with limited
funds;
b. Partner with public institutions to develop a `branded' Region -wide public Wi -Fi network.
Members generally expressed support for completing a business case to determine which option
would be most effective including a possible review of a combination approach, whichever would be
most cost effective and expedite a public Wi -Fi network.
The meeting then recessed at 4:20 p.m. and re- convened at 4:27 p.m., chaired by Mayor B.
Vrbanovic and with all members present.
1.b. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Council considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO -15 -010 (R. Regier), dated February 4,
2015, concerning the progress made thus far to update the Kitchener Economic Development
Strategy.
Mr. R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development, introduced the report advising that
Kitchener's Economic Development Strategy 2015 -2019 identifies Kitchener's priorities for economic
development in the current term of Council. It helps to direct investment of City resources and
supports the partnerships needed to advance the City's economy.
Ms. J. MacDonald, Analyst, Economic Development, presented the Report highlighting the results of
the stakeholder consultation which was titled "Ideas of the Brave ". She noted through those
engagement sessions key themes and values emerged, including the apparent need to rebrand the
Strategy from its commonly known acronym `KEDS', to `Make it Kitchener'. She indicated the slogan
reflects the feedback heard during Ideas of the Brave; it is both a call to action and a statement of
fact. Simple and clear, it also acts as a unifying theme to bring together different types of business
and people.
Ms. MacDonald noted talent is the priority for the Strategy and the two key elements needed to be
addressed when considering the City a desirable location for people include: career opportunities;
and, quality of life. She indicated three strategic pillars have been identified for growing our economy:
Make it Spark; Make it Start; and, Make it Grow as well as the areas of focus for each of the pillars.
She then highlighted the three pillars for shaping the City, titled: Make it Urban; Make it Vibrant; and,
Make it Connect as well as the areas of focus for each of those pillars.
Mr. Regier further advised staff is seeking Council's feedback on the draft Strategy, noting staff would
be bringing forward the final Strategy at a future Committee meeting. He noted staff is not seeking
any additional financial resources for the updated Strategy, adding any allocation of funds for the
proposals within the Strategy would be funded through existing Economic Development Operating
Budget and / or the Economic Development Reserve Fund.
A question was asked as to whether the Strategy was going to have any specific focus on supporting
suburban economic growth and helping to establish complete communities. Mr. Regier advised the
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OCTOBER 5, 2015 -183- CITY OF KITCHENER
Economic Development Strategy is well aligned with other guiding documents, which will establish
more complete communities. He noted the Strategy currently does not include any programs for
suburban business incentives and indicated staff could have further discussions regarding the
proposed suggestion prior to presenting the final Strategy for approval.
Members expressed support for the draft Strategy, noting the refresh process has been well executed
and was thorough. It was suggested further consideration needs to be given to ensuring the
document is complete and considers economic growth opportunities for the entire City, and ensures
the focus is not strictly on downtown development.
IN- CAMERA MEETING AUTHORIZATION
Moved by Councillor P. Singh
Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock
"That pursuant to Section 25.4.4.f. of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code,
Council waives the requirement for Notice with respect to a matter deemed to be urgent and /or
extraordinary and directs that same be added to the in- camera meeting agenda of this date:
• Personal matter regarding an identifiable individual."
Carried, with the required 2/3 of members present.
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock
"That an in- camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider a person matter, a
personal / labour relations matter, a labour relations matter and a matter subject to solicitor -
client privilege."
Carried
On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK