HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2024-05-27 SSpecial Council Meeting
Minutes
May 27, 2024, 3:00 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 S. Stretch
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
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
G. St. Louis, Director, Gas & Water Utilities
K. Abu-Eseifan, Manager Gas Supply and Engineering
A. Hustwitt, Manager, Business Development & Customer
Experience
K. Daley, Senior Strategist Carbon & Energy Planner
A. Cipriani, Sustainability Officer
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
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1. Commencement
A meeting of City Council was held at 3:00 p.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
None.
3. Strategic Session Reports
3.1 Phase 2 update - Kitchener Utilities Transition, INS -2024-224
Council considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS -2024-224,
dated May 27, 2024, regarding an update on the progress of Phase 2 of the
Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy.
K. Daley, Senior Strategist, Carbon and Energy Planning, presented an overview
of the report. A. Cipriani, Sustainability Officer, A. Hustwitt, Manager Business
Development and Customer Experience, K. Abu-Eseifan, Manager Gas Supply
and Engineering and G. St. Louis, Director, Utilities Gas and Water were also in
attendance to respond to questions from Council.
K. Daley requested Council feedback on the following questions:
1. What are your reflections on the business activity themes and what theme
are you most curious about?
2. Referring to Appendix A, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department
report INS -2024-224, are there any considerations for investigation that
you feel:
a. Should be prioritized or de -prioritized
b. Should be added
Councillor M. Johnston entered the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from Council, K. Daley noted engagement workshops
were held with external stakeholders and Kitchener Utilities staff members to help
identify and explore potential business activities that could be investigated,
including potential modifications to existing programs, equity considerations, and
various business approaches.
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In response to further questions, G. St. Louis noted while staff are not currently
exploring the potential of implementing gas bill surcharges, staff will continue to
explore methods to offer additional incentives to customers transitioning away
from the use of natural gas.
Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time.
4. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic
None.
In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following
the special council meeting this date to consider a security of property and
information that belongs to the municipality and has monetary value
matter and a land acquistion matter - Section 239 (2) (a) (c) and (j)) as
authorized by Sections 239 (a) and 0) of the Municipal Act, 2001,
respectively."
6. Adjournment
On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m.
QW Nk (�-
Mayor Way Clerh
Carried
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