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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2023-04-03 SSpecial Council Meeting Minutes April 3, 2023, 4:30 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 A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk 1. Commencement A meeting of City Council was held at 4:17 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present, Councillor A. Owodunni participated electronically. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of 1 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 10 rem 3. Presentations 3.1 Proposed Closure of Lancaster Ramps To/From Hwy 86 (Expressway) 3.1.a Steve Van De Keere, Director of Transportation Steve Van De Keere, Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo, presented the Lancaster Street and Highway 85 Ramp Closure Expressway - Environmental Assessment (EA). S. Van De Keere provided an overview of scope of the project, specifically the two ramps in question, noting some key drivers for the project include safety and the inadequate connection to the highway, improving cycling infrastructure. S. Van De Keere stated the Region has completed public engagement which received over 700+ responses, highlighting both positive and negative feedback received related to the removal of the ramps. S. Van De Keere indicated alternatives were reviewed, upon that review, it was determined the most appropriate recommendation was to permanently close the highway 85 ramps. Finally S. Van De Keere presented an overall historical goal for future transportation choices, noting the closure of the Highway ramps will be a major improvement to the active transportation network within the City. S. Van De Keere provided an overview of the next steps related to the project, stating the Region of Waterloo is due to consider the EA on April 4, 2023, which would allow the EA to be file with the Ministry of Transportation for its 30 -day review period, and continue to detailed design. S. Van De Keere responded to questions from Council related to the proposed active transportation network, public transportation and ride sharing programs, safety and operation of the existing ramps, increased traffic times for alternative intersections; as well as, other options that were considered when determining the proposed alternative. In response to questions, S. Van De Keere confirmed the ramps are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation, noting if the Region approves the EA, the Region will apply to the Ministry to have the ramps closed. S. Van De Keere noted the Ministry has been engaged in the process and they are supportive of the ramp closures at this time. E In response to questions, S. Van De Keere advised the opinions related to transportation continues to shift away from the focus on the car to all forms of transportation. Hannah Domagala addressed Council in opposition to the closure of the Lancaster Street ramps from Highway 86. H. Domagala expressed concerns, with the economic and financial impact related to the ramp removal and users within the vicinity not having access to adequate public transportation to provide an alternative to travel. H. Domagala stated it would be her preferred approach at this time to maintain the existing ramp and making smaller improvements prior to removing the ramps in its entirety. H. Domagala then responded to questions from Council. Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor C. Michaud "WHEREAS the Province of Ontario built Highway 85 (aka Conestoga or KW Expressway) in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and today sees average daily traffic volumes of 85,000; WHEREAS the Highway 85 ramps at Lancaster Street see average daily traffic volumes of 3000 vehicles exiting at the southbound ramp and 1700 vehicles entering the highway at the northbound ramp; WHEREAS the Region of Waterloo is proposing to request the Province of Ontario to close and remove these ramps for our growing community despite the planned growth in this area and overall planned population growth for our communities of approximately 50% between now and 2051; and, WHEREAS municipalities often spend years if not decades trying to get new access points built to/from the provincial highway system, and rarely do you see any closures of access points; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener indicate to the Region of Waterloo our opposition to the proposed closure of the Lancaster St. ramps and request Region of Waterloo Council to not support the EA; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in response to some of the identified issues in the area during the EA, the City request the Province of Ontario and the Region consider the signalization of the northbound off -ramp at Bridgeport Road, and; 3 THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this motion be shared with the Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, the Province of Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney and area MPP's." Carried 4. In -camera Meeting Authorization Moved by Councillor J. Deneault Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following the special council meeting this date to consider five matters: two land acquisition -disposition matters, one labour relations matter, one matter of solicitor -client privilege and to receive education and training as authorized by Sections 239 (c) (d) (f) and (3)(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively." Carried 5. Recess and Reconvene Special Council recessed at 5:17 p.m. and reconvened at 8:42 p.m., Chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present, Councillor A. Owodunni participated electronically. 6. Matters arising from In -Camera 6.1 Matter arising from Section 101.1 of Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act on the Special Council Agenda Council considered this matter arising from an electronic in -camera meeting held earlier this date. Moved by Councillor C. Michaud Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman "That the City Solicitor be directed to begin an application at the Superior Court of Justice to obtain an Order declaring the Kinzie (Kinsey) Biehn Pioneer (Memorial) Cemetery, legally described as PT BIEHN'S UNNUMBERED TRACT TWP OF WATERLOO AS IN B27883; KITCHENER (Being all of PIN 2262-50113) abandoned pursuant to section 101.1 of the Funeral, Burials and Cremations Act, 2002, and, M That the CAO or a General Manager be authorized to execute the necessary documentation to give effect to any Court Order issued regarding the Kinzie (Kinsey) Biehn Pioneer (Memorial) Cemetery, said documentation to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and, That the City Solicitor be authorized to initiate proceedings in the Superior Court of Justice pursuant to section 101.1 of the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002 as amended for sites where an abandonment has occurred; and further, That the CAO or a General Manager be authorized to execute any necessary documentation to give effect to future court applications initiated pursuant to section 101.1 of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, as amended." Carried 6.2 Matter arising from Market Salary Review - 9000 Series Employee Recreational Programming on the Special Council Agenda Council considered this matter arising from an electronic in -camera meeting held earlier this date. Moved by Councillor M. Johnston Seconded by Councillor J. Deneault "That staff be directed to proceed in accordance with the in -camera direction provided on this date, April 3, 2023, to adjust the wage rates for Instructor/Lifeguard and Head Instructor/Head Lifeguard to be approved effective May 1, 2023." Carried 6.3 Matter arising from Land Acquisition - Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund on the Special Council Agenda Council considered this matter arising from an electronic in -camera meeting held earlier this date. Moved by Councillor D. Chapman Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That the Subject Properties, legally described as Lot 201-213 Plan 262 Kitchener; Part Lot 8-9 Plan 404 Kitchener Parts 1 to 4, 58R-3516; l Subject to 1184593, 806335E; Kitchener, being all of PIN 22506- 0044(LT), municipally known as 170-188 Borden Avenue South, and Part Lot 18 Plan 404 and Part Lot 73 Streets & Lanes, Lots 214-216 Plan 262, being Parts 2 & 3 on 58R-16144; Kitchener, being all of PIN 22506- 0221(LT), municipally known as 59 Bedford Road, be acquired based on the terms and conditions discussed at the April 3, 2023 in -camera meeting; and, That leases with existing tenants of the Subject Properties be negotiated and executed, based on the terms and conditions discussed at the April 3, 2023 in -camera meeting; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary documentation to effect the transaction and agreements, said documentation to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 7. By-laws 7.1 Three Readings Moved by Councillor B. loannidis Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston "That the by-laws be given third reading, namely: Carried Carried 7.1.a To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for April 3, 2023. 8. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Mayor Clerk (By-law 2023-037) Carried 9