HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2024-08-26 SSpecial Council Meeting
Minutes
August 26, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 407
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
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
J. Silcox -Childs, Director, Parks & Cemeteries
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
R. Roy, Landscape Architect
M. Parris, Landscape Architect
M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
1. Commencement
1
A meeting of City Council was held at 5:02 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
10 rem
3. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic
4. Strategic Session Reports
4.1 Places and Spaces, Parks Strategic Plan Strategic Session, INS -2024-347
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS -2024-
347, dated August 16, 2024, regarding the progress on the Places portion of the
Parks Master Plan.
J. Silcox -Childs, R. Roy and M. Parris provided an overview of the report noting
Staff engaged Kitchener residents to assess how community needs are served
by parks and open spaces and the quality and content of the amenities within
these spaces. R. Roy advised an overarching theme received through the
community engagement process was the importance of equity. It was noted 50
recommendations were developed as outlined in the report based on the
feedback received from the community. It was indicated the recommendations
were developed into 4 distinct thematic categories including: parks as inclusive
spaces, protection of land for parks, park planning for the future and reimagining
park experiences.
R. Roy and M. Parris requested the Council's feedback on the recommendations,
through a menti exercise on the following questions:
1. Do you have any reflections on this category of recommendations?
2. Are there any recommendations you are concerned about?
3. What excites you the most about the recommendations?
In response to questions from the Council, Staff confirmed the community
engagement process involved conversations with equity deserving groups.
5. Adjournment
On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
E
Mayor Jerk