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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2020-07-06 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 6, 2020 CITY OF KITCHENER A special electronic meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber at 9:50 a.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present. 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. IN -CAMERA MEETING AUTHORIZATION Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock "That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held to consider two matters subject to solicitor - client privilege, and one land acquisition/disposition matter." Carried. The meeting then recessed at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12:30 p.m. Chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present. Mayor B. Vrbanovic began the meeting with a statement acknowledging the land as the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples. 2. DSD -20-078 — A BETTER TENT CITY PILOT PROJECT — 41 ARDELT PLACE Council considered Development Services Department report DSD -20-078 (J. Oosterveld), dated July 3, 2020, recommending staff be directed to temporarily suspend enforcement of the Zoning By-law in support of A Better Tent City pilot project at 41 Ardelt Place (also known as Lot 42). J. Oosterveld, Manager of Site Development and Customer Service, provided opening remarks about the Better Tent City pilot project and responded to questions from members of Council. Council discussed safety considerations, funding, the affordable housing crisis, and the need to support initiatives to help people move from homelessness to housing. A motion was brought forward by Councillor J. Gazzola, seconded by Councillor B. loannidis, to approve the recommendation as outlined in Report DSD -20-078. Councillor D. Chapman brought forward an amendment, seconded by Councillor S. Marsh, to amend the motion as follows: "That City staff work with Regional staff to identify and secure sites for the relocation of residents of Lot 42 and the tent encampment; and, further, That the City of Kitchener use the remaining $40,000. of the 2020 Affordable Housing Strategy funding to support development of these initiatives to help people move from homelessness to housing." Councillor M. Johnston introduced and withdrew a motion to defer Councillor D. Chapman's amendment regarding the $40,000. funding allocation. A motion was brought forward by Councillor B. loannidis, seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola, to defer Councillor D. Chapman's amendment regarding the $40,000. funding allocation to the August 31, 2020 Special Council meeting to allow for the Affordable Housing Strategy Committee to provide feedback on the funding allocation. Councillor D. Chapman requested the amendments and deferral be voted on by recorded vote. Councillor B. loannidis' deferral of Councillor D. Chapman's amendment regarding the $40,000 funding allocation was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. loannidis, D. Schnider, M. Johnston, C. Michaud, and P. Singh voting in favour, and Councillors D. Chapman and S. Marsh voting in opposition. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 6, 2020 - 71 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor D. Chapman's amendment relating to staff working with Regional staff to identify and secure sites for the relocation of residents of Lot 42 and the tent encampment was voted on and was Carried Unanimously on a recorded voted. Councillor J. Gazzola requested the following motion be voted on by recorded vote. Moved by Councillor J. Gazzola Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That staff be directed to temporarily suspend enforcement of the Zoning Bylaw in support of A Better Tent City pilot project at 41 Ardelt Place, fora period of up to one year, subject to the following conditions: 1. That immediate access for emergency responders be maintained to the site through the designated fire route; 2. That all previously -identified life safety measures be installed (e.g., smoke detectors) within seven days of a Council decision, and maintained thereafter; 3. That an architect or professional engineer be retained at the City's expense, up to a cost of $5,000., to inspect the project and certify that it meets appropriate life safety measures within one month of a Council decision; 4. That the City be provided with a copy of the Electrical Safety Authority approval for any electrical installation undertaken on the site; 5. That plans for heating/ventilation for colder months be shared with the City prior to commencing any related construction activities; and 6. That the owner engage with the Region of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, community partners and site residents regarding the relocation of the facility or alternative solutions for people to support their transition to appropriate housing; and 7. That City staff work with Regional staff to identify and secure sites for the relocation of residents of Lot 42 and tenting encampments; and further, That the following be deferred to August 31, 2020 Special Council meeting, to allow an opportunity for staff to consult the Affordable Housing Strategy Committee for feedback on the proposed allocation of funds: "That the City of Kitchener use the remaining $40,000. of the 2020 Affordable Housing Strategy funding to support development of these initiatives to help people move from homelessness to housing." Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote. AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ADVOCACY Council was requested to waive notice and consider a Notice of Motion from Councillor D. Chapman regarding affordable and supportive housing advocacy Moved by Councillor D. Chapman Seconded by Councillor S. Davey "That pursuant to Section 25.4.4 (f) of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code, the requirement for Notice of Motion be waived to add a Notice of Motion by Councillor D. Chapman to the agenda regarding affordable and supportive housing advocacy." Carried by the required 2/3 of the Whole of Council. Councillor D. Chapman introduced a Notice of Motion regarding affordable and supportive housing advocacy. Moved by Councillor D. Chapman Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "Whereas we have an affordable housing crisis in Waterloo Region; and, SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 6, 2020 -72- CITY OF KITCHENER Whereas each dollar invested in affordable housing saves $3 to $10 in other societal costs including the criminal justice system, policing, emergency healthcare, etc. Be it resolved that the City of Kitchener encourage the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to increase operating and capital funding for affordable and supportive housing, and to encourage the Government of Waterloo Region to expedite the creation of affordable housing units. Be it finally resolved that this resolution be forwarded to municipalities within the Region of Waterloo, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and the local Members of Federal and Provincial Parliament." Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote. 4- BY-LAW FOR THREE READINGS Moved by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce the following by-law for three readings and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third time, and finally be passed and numbered serially by the Clerk." To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council. (By-law No. 2020-036) Carried. On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:54 p.m. MAYOR CL-�_-- - �-�----._