HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIS Minutes - 2020-10-19COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2020CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community and InfrastructureServicesCommittee held an electronic meeting this date,
commencing electronically at 1:04p.m.
Present:CouncillorK.Galloway-Sealock-Chair
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman,S. Davey,J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, M.
Johnston, S. Marsh,C. Michaud, D. Schnider and P. Singh.
Staff:D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, Deputy CAO& General Manager, Community Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
N. Lobley, Director, Parks & Cemeteries
G. St. Louis, Director, Utilities
B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
B. Bennett, Manager, Business Development
L. Christensen, Trails Project Manager
E.Moorlag Silk, Project Manager,Mayors Task Force
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor
J. Gazzolato discuss Consent item 1 listed on the agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.
1.INS-20-013-ASSISTED SERVICES PROGRAM-WORKING CENTRE GRANT
The Committee considered InfrastructureServices Department report INS-20-013,dated
September 29, 2020recommending a grant to the Working Centre for the assisted services
program.N. Lobleywas in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.
On motion by CouncillorB. Ioannidis-
it was resolved:
“That subject to annual budget approval, Council provide a grant of up to $220k per year
to the Working Centre in order that they provide assisted services (winter sidewalk
clearing) to up to 325 properties annually, as outlined in Infrastructure Services
Department report INS-20-013; and,
That such a grant be adjusted based on the number of residential properties serviced
year over year and be reflective of the operational costs incurred by the Working Centre
to deliver services; and,
That the grant is not eligible to be used for sub-contracting third party commercial
contractors to perform the services outlined in this report; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a three-year grant agreement with
The Working Centre, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, to provide the services
outlined in Report INS-20-013 and also in Report INS-20-010.”
2.DSD-20-156-LAND SALE -OTTAWA STREET RIGHT OF WAY
The Committee considered DevelopmentServices Department report DSD-20-156, dated
September 9, 2020 authorizing the execution of a conditional Agreement of Purchase and Sale
with Kitchener Trussler Holdings Inc. for the acquisition of a remnant piece of the Ottawa Street
South road allowance.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis -
it was resolved:
COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2020-14-CITY OF KITCHENER
2.DSD-20-156-LAND SALE -OTTAWA STREET RIGHT OF WAY(CONT’D)
“That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a conditional Agreement of Purchase
and Sale, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-20-156, with
Kitchener Trussler Holdings Inc. for their acquisition of the City’s remnant piece of the
Ottawa Street South road allowance having an area of approximately 2.21 acres, at a
purchase price of $884,000., subject to the City’s conditions; and,
That the subject road allowance be closed and declared surplus to the City’s needs; and
further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor,
to execute all documentation required to complete the transaction.”
3.CSD-20-004-ADVANCING THE CITY’S WORK ON EQUITY, ANTI-RACISM, INDIGENOUS
INITIATIVES & SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES (E.G.,HOMELESSNESS)
The Committee considered CommunityServices Department report CSD-20-004, dated October
8, 2020regarding the creation of a dedicated staff to work on the issues of equity, anti-racism,
Indigenous initiatives and social justice.In addition, theCommittee was also in receipt of a
written submission dated October 19, 2020 from Waterloo Region Food Systems Roundtablein
support of the recommendation outlined in Report CSD-20-004.M. May and D. McGoldrick were
in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
Shawn Johnston and Amy Smoke were in attendance in support of the recommendation outlined
in Report CSD-20-004. A. Smoke stated in her opinion theproposed full-time staffposition
should be filled with individuals from the blackandIndigenous and people of colour communities
that have lived experiences to ensure any changes to be madeare meaningful.
Lori Campbell addressed the Committee in support of the staff recommendation, noting she was
pleasedwith the proposed staffing model. She noted specifically in regard to section 3 of the
report entitled ‘City’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Workplan (2020/2021)’itemnumber
6, regarding the development of a mentorship programfor youth living in low-income
households, indicated her preference was to see a mentorship program that would support
families that may be lacking resources rather than partnering youth with affluent members of the
community. She stated each community has their eco system and improvements should always
focus on how to improve the community in its existing environment. L. Campbell further advised
that lived experience and educational experience will be an asset to the proposed positions.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor S. Marsh to approve the recommendation as
outlined in Report CSD-20-004, including an amendmentthat the job postings for all five
positions include explicitly clear language thatwill strongly encourage people of equity-seeking
backgrounds with lived experience of racism and systemic oppression to apply; that the hiring
process seek out applicants with a deep and nuanced understanding ofan equity lens; and, that
the terms of reference defining the staff team roles include wording that ensuresover the long-
term, regardless of staff turnover, individuals applying to those roles in the future continue to be
strongly encouraged to have equity-seeking backgrounds with lived experience in racism and
systemic oppression.
Councilor D. Chapman stated in her opinion she would prefer the amendment to specifically
identifythat preference for the proposed positions would be given to blackandIndigenous and
people of colour.
Councillor Marsh suggested, and it was agreed, that her amendment be revised to include the
following additional clauses that the job postings for all five positions include explicitly clear
language thatwill strongly encourage people of equity-seeking backgrounds with lived
experience of racism and systemic oppression to apply; thatthe job postings for the top three
leadership roles include language that calls on members of the black and Indigenous and people
of colour communities to apply; thatthe hiring process seek out applicants with a deep and
nuanced understanding of an equity lens; and, that the terms of reference defining the staff team
roles include wording that ensures over the long-term, regardless of staff turnover, individuals
applying to those roles in the future continue to be strongly encouraged to have equity-seeking
backgrounds with lived experience in racism and systemic oppression.
COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2020-15-CITY OF KITCHENER
3.CSD-20-004-ADVANCING THE CITY’S WORK ON EQUITY, ANTI-RACISM, INDIGENOUS
INITIATIVES & SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES (E.G. HOMELESSNESS) (CONT’D)
Councillor Marsh’s amendment was then voted on and was Carried, on a recorded vote with
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Schnider, C Michaud, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M.
Johnston, D. Chapman, S. Marsh and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and, Councillors J.
Gazzola and S. Davey voting in opposition.
The following motion was then voted on and was Carried, on a recorded vote with Mayor B.
Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey,D. Schnider, C Michaud, P. Singh, B.Ioannidis, M.
Johnston, D. Chapman, S. Marsh and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and, Councillor J.
Gazzolavoting in opposition.
On motion by CouncillorS. Marsh -
it was resolved:
“That the City advance its work on equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives, as well
as other social justice issues (e.g.,homelessness), through the creation of a dedicated
staff team, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-20-004, which will
provide senior level leadership and internal staff expertise in these areas; and,
That the associated funding for that team be built into the 2021 budget; and,
That the job postings for all five positions include explicitly clear language thatwill strongly
encourage people of equity-seeking backgrounds with lived experience of racism and
systemic oppression to apply; and,
That for the job postings for the top three leadership roles include language that calls on
members of the black and Indigenous and people of colour communities to apply; and,
That the hiring process seek out applicants with a deep and nuanced understanding of
an equity lens; and further,
That the terms of reference defining the staff team roles include wording that ensures
over the long-term, regardless of staff turnover, individuals applying to those roles in the
future continue to be strongly encouraged to have equity-seeking backgrounds with lived
experience in racism and systemic oppression.”
4.INS-20-016-NATURAL GAS RATES
The Committee considered InfrastructureServices Department report INS-20-016, dated
October 8, 2020recommending approval of the natural gas rates as outlined in the Report.G.
St. Louis provided a brief overview of the Report and responded to questions from the
Committee.
On motion by CouncillorS. Davey-
it was resolved:
“That Kitchener Utilities’ natural gas rates be approved as proposed in Appendix ‘A’ of
Infrastructure Services Department report INS-20-016 for all Kitchener delivery
customers effective November 1, 2020.”
5.INS-20-015-2020 CYCLING AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The Committee considered InfrastructureServices Department reportINS-20-015, dated
October 6, 2020regarding the 2020 Cycling and Trails Master Plan. In addition, the Committee
was in receipt of a written submission dated October 16, 2020 from Sam Nabi in support of the
recommendation as outlined in Report INS-20-015.L. Christensen,N. Lobleyand B. Cronkite
wereinattendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
Brian Patterson, Urban System, presented the 2020 Cycling and Trails Master Plan, noting the
plan isintended to be the City’s guiding document forcyclingand trails for the next 25 years.
COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2020-16-CITY OF KITCHENER
5.INS-20-015-2020 CYCLING AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN (CONT’D)
David Trueman, Cycle WR, and Victoria Hand, Vice-Chair, Cycling & Trails Advisory Committee,
addressed the Committee in support of the recommendation as outlined in Report INS-20-015.
Amotion was brought forward by Mayor B. Vrbanovic to approve the recommendation as
outlined in Report INS-20-015, including an additional clause thatthe Mayor write on behalf of
Kitchener City Council to the provincial and federal ministers responsible forCycling and Trails
infrastructure urging that any post-covid Infrastructure stimulus programs include the potential
of funding for cycling and trail infrastructure at both the local and regional levels.
The amended clause was then voted on and was Carried.
On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic-
it was resolved:
“That the 2020 Cycling and Trails Master Plan for the City of Kitchener be adopted as the
guiding document for cycling and trails implementation, as outlined in Infrastructure
Services Department report INS-20-015; and,
That consideration of the recommendations and implementation of the plan be referred
to departmental business plans and budget process; and further,
That the Mayor write on behalf of Kitchener City Council to the provincial and federal
ministers responsible for Cycling and Trails infrastructure urging that any post-COVID
Infrastructure stimulus programs include the potential of funding for cycling and trail
infrastructure at both the local and regional levels.”
6.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:14p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator