HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2023-02-27 SSpecial Council Meeting
Minutes
February 27, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor A. Clancy
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
K. Dever, Director, Strategy and Corporate Performance
M. Blake, Committee Administrator
M. Mills, Committee Administrator
1. Commencement
A special meeting of City Council was held at 1:00 p.m. this date, chaired by
Mayor B. Vrbanovic. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all
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members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council
Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no conflicts declared.
3. Strategic Session Reports
3.1 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development — Prioritizing Strategic Goal Areas,
CAO -2023-088
D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer addressed Council regarding the 2023-
2026 Strategic Plan Development - Strategic Foresight and Community
Engagement Update, noting this is the fifth development review of the Strategic
Plan with the first session occurring on March 23, 2022. D. Chapman noted, five
strategic goal areas have been developed from feedback provided by Kitchener
residents and Council.
K. Dever, Director of Strategy and Corporate performance noted the City of
Kitchener is in phase two of the Strategic Plan, Foresight and Community
Priorities, indicating a timeline of October 2022 -February 2023. K. Dever outlined
Council's governance role in Strategic Planning and feedback received from
Council in August 2022, including focusing on what the City can influence within
its' mandate and, addressing key trends impacting Kitchener such as belonging,
placemaking, sustainability, housing affordability, innovation, technology, and
institutional trust. K. Dever noted the proposed strategic goal areas highlight
themes important to the community which the City can address.
The Corporate Leadership Team introduced the proposed goal areas: belonging
and participation; housing, land use and mobility; environment and climate
action; economic prosperity and opportunity; and, good government.
K. Dever requested Council feedback on the following questions:
1. Have staff accurately summarized Council and Community priorities in
these five goal areas?
2. Within these goal areas, where would you like to see particular emphasis
placed as we establish term -of -Council priority actions?
In response to questions about how the City would ensure accountability to
Kitchener residents, D. Chapman noted further discussion will be held with
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Council to set targets and indicators of progress towards achieving the proposed
strategic goal areas.
Council discussed the importance of purchasing and procurement from local
businesses and suggested this be emphasized in the economic prosperity and
opportunity goal area.
In response to questions regarding advocacy to the province about areas that do
not fall within municipal jurisdiction, D. Chapman noted a government relations
strategy aligned with the Proposed Strategic Plan will be brought forward to
Council for discussion and consideration.
Council suggested that climate action and an equity lens be applied to all the
proposed strategic goal areas to create a more holistic approach for service
delivery. Further, Council requested that Staff provide a comparison between the
previous strategic plan and the current proposed plan, including information on
whether previous goal areas were accomplished and what was not implemented
well.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time.
Council suggested that collaboration with peer municipalities, businesses and
community leaders be included in the strategic plan. In addition, it was suggested
that the creative arts industry be emphasized within the economic prosperity and
opportunity goal area.
Councillor A. Owodunni re-entered the meeting at this time
4. In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following
the special council meeting this date to consider two matters related to
labour negotiations, one matter regarding Identifiable Individuals, one
matter being also subject to litigation/potential litigation and solicitor client
privilege, and to receive education and training as authorized by Sections
239 (d) (b) (e) and (3.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."
5. Adjournment
On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:14 p.m.
Carried
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Mayor F
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