HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2018-05-07 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 7, 2018
CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 2:03 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with
all members present, except Councillor P. Singh.
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.
IN -CAMERA MEETING AUTHORIZATION
Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway-Sea lock
Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider a matter subject to
Solicitor -Client Privilege."
Carried.
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a. Compass Kitchener — Results of the Community Survey
Council considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO -18-014, dated May 1, 2018,
regarding Compass Kitchener's Community Survey.
Mr. L. Collins, presented the report providing a brief overview of the Compass Kitchener
mandate, community engagement goals, and the Environics survey. He advised a series of
follow-up engagement events are scheduled to gather qualitative responses to better
understand the expectations of citizens and generate ideas to make progress on the priorities
identified within the survey results. He noted the engagement events will be held throughout
the spring/summer, with the intention to bring forward a list of community priorities to Council in
the fall of 2018. He further advised Compass Kitchener is recommending the use of three
additional engagement tactics: community focus groups; online idea generation; and, the
Compass Kitchener All Advisory Committees meeting.
Mr. C. Brown, Senior Research Associate, Environics Research, outlined the results of the
Community Environics Survey for Council's consideration. He provided the highlights of the
results, including: the overall satisfaction with City government; the perceived value for tax
dollars; and, areas of focus for community priorities.
Council was asked to provide feedback on the following question:
Based on these survey results, including the priorities expressed by citizens, what
would Council like to learn more about from citizens through the next phase of
engagement?
• How would citizens like the City to communicate how their tax dollars are used;
• What City services citizens use most often;
• What City services are most important to citizens;
• Where do citizens see a need for improvements in their City that will benefit them
and/or their family;
• What does being disengaged mean to citizens;
• Why and how can we engage citizens better;
• What does value for tax dollars mean to citizens;
• What does economic development mean to citizens;
• What dissatisfies citizens and why; and,
• How do citizens feel about increasing tax dollars to pay for priorities.
In response to questions, Ms. J. MacDonald, Community Engagement Consultant, advised a
Compass Kitchener Sub -committee is responsible for determining how the focus groups will be
conducted. She advised the Sub -committee believes topic -driven focus groups will resonate
with citizens, noting they plan to gather feedback from the City's Communications Department
on how to most effectively market the focus groups to citizens. She further indicated possible
engagement tactics will depend on the groups the Sub -committee wishes to capture and
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MAY 7, 2018 -74- CITY OF KITCHENER
whether there is capacity for our community partners to engage on Compass Kitchener's
behalf. She noted if there is interest among Council to participate, she will bring it forward to
the Sub -committee for consideration.
b. Draft Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy — David Schmitt
Council considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS -18-025 regarding the Draft
Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock assumed
the Chair.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic re-entered the meeting at this time and reassumed the Chair
Mr. D. Schmitt, Environmental & Urban Forest Project Manager, provided an overview of the
Draft Urban Forest Strategy, noting the results from Kitchener's 2017 sustainable urban forest
report card and the community engagement process completed to date. He identified the five
key themes gathered from the community and Council during the engagement process. He
further noted the five key branches outlined in the Draft Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy that
include action items for implementation:
plan first, the cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient urban forest;
engage often and widely, building critical support, collaboration and stewardship;
maintain proactively, to increase health, longevity and resiliency;
protect prudently, to maintain and maximize what we already have; and,
plant correctly and deliberately, ensuring future generations a vibrant and resilient tree
canopy.
Mr. Schmitt advised the public review process of the draft strategy has begun with an end date
of June 29, 2018, noting staff will integrate feedback received into the final strategy, which will
be considered by Council in early 2019. He further noted staff are developing an
implementation plan that will also be brought forward for Council's approval in early 2019.
Council was asked to provide feedback on the following questions:
1. With the release of the draft strategy, does Council have any questions or comments?
Council suggested that consideration be given to incorporating the following items in the
strategy:
• under the `protect' branch that staff be more proactive and responsive when they
see tree removal;
• the relocation of trees from one location to another where there is a diminishing
canopy;
• the implementation of a grant program for residents who are unable to have a
boulevard tree but wish to plant a tree elsewhere on their property;
• a clear education guideline on how to plan and protect trees correctly;
• information on the time it takes to replace a tree once removed;
• increase the strategy's presence in the City's Development Manual;
• information on an incentive program for residents to plant trees on private property;
• an estimate of the costs associated with the implementation plan;
• addressing residents' concerns with the type of trees being planted residential
boulevards;
• how the City of Kitchener's canopy compares to other municipalities;
• information on improving the timeliness of the City's service responses;
• stronger penalties when large amounts of trees are removed or clear cut; and,
• increasing the requirements for new developments to plant trees.
Questions were raised regarding the possibility of approving the Urban Forest Strategy prior to
early 2019. Ms. D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services, advised staff will
use the suggestions gathered from Council to create options for implementation actions. She
further indicated in 2018 staff is creating an implementation plan and developing a detailed
MAY 7, 2018
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CITY OF KITCHENER
cost analysis, noting the implementation of the final strategy and the 2019 budget are aligned
as closely as possible.
Mr. Schmitt provided an overview of the four priorities currently identified in the Draft Urban
Forest Strategy, being:
1. Address areas of risk;
2. Address key gaps (data, planning);
3. Improve customer service; and,
4. Continue work that will support tree planting on private lands.
He requested feedback on the four priorities with the following questions:
1. Agree with the four identified priorities?
2. Have other priorities that staff should consider?
Several members agreed with the four identified priorities, highlighting the importance of
improving customer service. Members also provided the following priorities for staff to
consider:
• exploring opportunities to partner with grassroots organizations;
• implementing a sponsorship program;
• educating the public;
• protecting existing trees through tree management or strong penalties for removal;
and,
• identifying cost estimates of the implementation plan;
COR -18-001 - SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT FOR RBJ SCHLEGEL PARK, 1955 FISCHER-
HALLMAN ROAD
Council considered Corporate Services Department report COR -18-001, dated April 26, 2018,
regarding the execution of a Sponsorship agreement with Schlegel Urban Developments and
the naming of the City's newest park located at 1955 Fischer -Hallman Road.
A recorded vote was requested.
Moved by Councillor K. Gal loway-Sea lock
Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis
"That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Sponsorship Agreement with
Schlegel Urban Developments regarding their sponsorship and the naming of the City's
newest park located at 1955 Fischer -Hallman Road in south Kitchener; said agreement
to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor".
In Favour: Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J.
Gazzola, S. Marsh, D. Schnider, Z. Janecki, K.
Galloway-Sealock, S. Davey, B. loannidis, and F.
Etherington.
Contra: Councillor Y. Fernandes
Absent: Councillor P. Singh
4. BY-LAWS FOR THREE READINGS
Moved by Councillor Y. Fernandes
Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider
Carried.
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MAY 7, 2018 -76- CITY OF KITCHENER
"That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce a by-law to confirm all
actions and proceedings of the Council and that the same be taken as read a first,
second and third times, be finally passed and numbered 2018-036 by the Clerk."
Carried.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
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