HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2023-05-08 S�:T,,,,IE�I' �
Special Council Meeting
Minutes
May 8, 2023, 11:00 a.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 A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor A. Clancy
Absent: Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor M. Johnston
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
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
A. Qureshi, Director, Facilities Management
K. Daley, Senior Strategist, Carbon and Energy Planning
B. Powell, Manager of Facility Assets & Energy Management
L. Reesor-Keller, Project Manager, Energy Management
A. Fritz -Walters, Engage & Program Manager Strategic Plan
A. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
M. Mills, Committee Administrator
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1. Commencement
A special meeting of City Council was held at 11:07 a.m. this date, chaired by
Mayor B. Vrbanovic. 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.
The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no pecuniary interests declared.
3. Strategic Session - Part One
3.1 CorCAP (Corporate Climate Action Plan) 2.0, DSD -2023-216
Council considered Development Services Department report DSD -2023-216,
dated April 18, 2023, regarding the development of the City of Kitchener's second
generation corporate climate action plan.
A. Cipriani provided an overview of the corporate climate action highlighting four
domains that have been addressed. It was noted facilities and fleet/equipment
operations consist of the greatest contribution to the City's Corporate Green
House Gas (GHG) emissions. Three pathways to reducing the City's GHG were
presented including prioritizing energy conservation, switching fuel sources to
low carbon energy sources and , generating renewable energy locally. A. Cipriani
further advised staff were in attendance this date to receive direction from
Council on the future focus for reducing these corporate GHG emissions.
J. Readman noted the proposed budget for the Corporate Climate Action Plan
will be for a 25 year period and the cost of this initiative is anticipated to reduce
as technological advances for addressing GHG emissions are developed.
In response to questions from the Committee, B. Powell noted a condition
assessment is being undertaken to determine methods by which corporate GHG
emissions can be reduced at Kitchener City Hall.
In response to discussions regarding supports for homeowners to adopt net zero
energy sources, D. McGoldrick noted a report related to this matter will be
brought forward for Council consideration on Monday May 29, 2023.
Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
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A. Cipriani led Council through a Mentimeter exercise to receive feedback on the
following questions:
1. I am interested in exploring strategies to achieve net -zero corporate
emissions by 2050
2. 1 am interested in prioritizing corporate efforts in the next Corporate
Climate Action Plan on GHG reductions along these three pathways
(prioritizing energy conservation, switching fuel sources to low carbon
energy sources and, generating renewable energy locally).
3. 1 am interested in prioritizing efforts in the next Corporate Climate Action
Plan on corporate GHG reduction from the two focus areas (Facilities and,
Fleet and Equipment)
4. As we develop the plan and seek support to adopt a new plan with a
deeper commitment what are you looking for in a plan?
4. In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councilor A. Clancy
Seconded by Councillor S. Davey
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following
the special council meeting this date to consider three items including a
matter with item information supplied in confidence to the municipality or
local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency, a
security of property and solicitor client -privilege and a land acquisition
matter as authorized by Sections 239 (a) (c) (f) and (h) of the Municipal
Act, 2001, respectively."
5. Recess and Reconvene
The Special Council meeting recessed at 12:20 p.m. and reconvened at 1:10
p.m., Chaired by Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present except
Councillors C. Michaud and M. Johnston.
6. Strategic Session - Part Two
6.1 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Vision, Key Priorities and
Approach to Action Planning, CAO -2023-217
Council considered report CAO -2023-217, dated May 3, 2023, regarding a
progress update on the work underway to define the City's next Strategic Plan for
2023-2026.
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J. Stephens -Wells, Chair of Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee provided
comments on behalf of Compass Kitchener regarding the City's 20 year vision,
key priorities and the approach to Strategic Action planning. It was noted the
Compass Kitchener Committee believes the proposed Vision Statement and
story outlined in the Staff report effectively captures the community's aspirations
for the City and solutions to concerns raised through engagement initiatives. J.
Stephens -Wells also noted Compass Kitchener believes the Strategic Plan
should be designed to have a degree of flexibility in order to enable adaptation to
changing circumstances and to face new challenges and opportunities.
Councillor J. Deneault left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
K. Dever introduced the 2023-2026 strategic plan development presentation.
A. Fritz -Walters noted the strategic plan development is currently in phase 5
which focuses on developing strategic indicators and actions. A. Fritz -Walters
provided a summary of Council feedback from May 2022 till today's date and the
steps that have been take to ensure feedback is implemented. It was noted in
February 2023, Council indicated support for the 5 Strategic goal areas that were
presented. A. Fritz -Walters presented the proposed vision statement "Building a
city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us — and
each other" and the vision story "Together in 2043".
A. Fritz -Walters also outlined the proposed key priorities for 2023-2026 that will
achieve progress towards the City's 20 year vision.
Councillor P. Singh noted the proposed vision story statement is broad and may
not fully encompass Council feedback for the Strategic Plan to be bold.
A. Fritz -Walters then requested Council feedback on the following questions:
1. What are your reflections on, and reactions to, the Vision Story and
Vision Statement? Have Community and Council aspirations for a desired
Kitchener 20 years from now been captured?
2. Do the Key Priorities within each Strategic Goal Area capture Council's
broad and collective priorities?
3. What opportunities or challenges do you see with establishing an initial
set of Actions for the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan?
Councilor P. Singh noted, Kitchener is a technology City and thrives through
economic development as such the Strategic Plan should outline strategic goals
related to economic development, environmental stewardship and Kitchener
being a livable City. Councillor S. Davey expressed agreement noting
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opportunities such as technology innovation are not clear and distinct in the
proposed Strategic Plan.
Councillor A. Owodunni left meeting at this time.
Councillor B. loannidis noted the proposed vision statement falls outside the. role
of City services and scope of influence.
Councillor A. Owodunni re-entered the meeting at this time.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
Councillor S. Davey left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
7_ Adjournment
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
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Vic,-rtl i`� Mayor- s t N ( . L-I4tJ
Clerk
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