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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Minutes - 2024-12-02 SSpecial Council Meeting Minutes December 2, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers - Hybrid City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 Present: Councillor S. Davey Councillor D. Schnider Councillor J. Deneault Councillor C. Michaud Councillor A. Owodunni Councillor R Singh Councillor B. loannidis Councillor D. Chapman Absent: Mayor B. Vrbanovic Councillor M. Johnston 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 J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk M. Mills, Committee Coordinator 1. Commencement A meeting of City Council was held at 4:07 p.m. this date, chaired by Councillor P. Singh, Acting Mayor. 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. 1 The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Councillor P. Singh. 1.1 Condolences on Behalf of Members of Council Councillor P. Singh, Acting Mayor shared the news of the passing of Mayor Vrbanovic's beloved mother, and Councillor Stephanie Stretch's beloved brother. Councillor Singh expressed condolences on behalf of members of Council and held a moment of silence in commemoration. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Region of Waterloo -All Council Meeting Moved by Councillor C. Michaud Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman "That the Mayor and Members of Kitchener Council be authorized to participate in an All Councils meeting on December 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. to be held at Centre in the Square, further notice of that meeting being published at www.regionofwaterloo.ca." Carried 4. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic 4.1 Mayor's Proposed 2025 Budget, FIN -2024-520 Council considered Financial Services Department report FIN -2024-520, dated December 2, 2024, introducing the Mayor's proposed 2025 Budget. In addition, Council was in receipt of a written submission from Threshold Supports related to the 2025 Budget. Councillor P. Singh, Acting Mayor, provided opening remarks related to the 2025 Budget and requested Councillor S. Davey as the Chair of Finance and Corporate Services Committee bring forward the Budget on behalf of Mayor B. Vrbanovic who was not able to be in attendance this date. Councillor S. Davey presented the 2025 Budget, noting the Draft 2025 Budget was presented to Council for consideration and discussion at Finance and Corporate Services Committee meetings (Operating Budget and Capital Budget) held on November 18th and 25th, 2024. E The 2025 Draft Budget that was prepared by staff, and presented for Council's consideration, builds on the success of previous budgets, by continuing to address priorities that are important for Kitchener and its residents: • From delivering the programs and services that residents and businesses rely on every day, • to investments in infrastructure that help to address the City's asset replacement and growth -related needs, and, • to providing funding to implement the City's 2023- 2026 Strategic Plan that will help shape Kitchener's future. S. Davey stated a proposed tax increase of 3.9%, maintains existing services levels for the approximately 50 core services, and still responds to growth related pressures that come with welcoming new residents to the City. It also ensures that Kitchener's average property tax increase over 10 years remains below Ontario's inflation rate increases during that same time period. S. Davey further advised, although Kitchener only makes up 30% of the residential tax bill, with the Region representing 57%, and Education taxes making up the remaining 13%, Kitchener has always demonstrated its commitment to considering affordability, consistently delivering tax rate increases that are aligned with the rate of inflation in Ontario. S. Davey commented during the past 10 years, Kitchener's tax rate increases have averaged 2.47°/x, below Ontario inflation which has averaged 2.64% during that same timeframe. S. Davey indicated Kitchener is also making important investments in infrastructure, recognizing the need to take care of the $10B worth of assets that the City is responsible for, while also moving forward with new infrastructure that's needed to support housing and a growing community. The City's $1.9B capital budget identifies the infrastructure that is planned to be replaced over the next 10 years. Although the City's planned investment over 10 years is significant, it's important to reiterate that this is still not enough to address all of the City's infrastructure replacement needs and we join in calls for a new fiscal arrangement for municipalities over the long-term with both the provincial and federal orders of government to address this gap. The 2025 Budget highlights approximately $75M in funding that will help to advance strategic priorities. This includes $56M in Federal and Provincial funding that the City has received to advance affordable housing initiatives. S. Davey noted for the $1 M identified as a Strategic Addition, the funding has been allocated for a community court investment program that will see 10 basketball or tennis/pickle- ball courts installed or rehabilitated in various wards across the City. This investment will see the installation of new courts in under -serviced areas of the 3 City or enhance the condition of existing courts, recognizing that these types of recreational amenities serve as an important and free gathering space for residents of all ages in neighbourhoods across Kitchener. S. Davey stated after reviewing the Proposed 2025 Budget, if any member of Council wishes to put forward an amendment for consideration, formal amendments must be received by the Clerk by December 9, 2024, any amendments will be dealt with at a December 12, 2024, Special Council (Final Budget Day) meeting. Finally, S. Davey encouraged members of Council to review the budget report from Regional Council related to the Regional Budget, including removal of sanitation bins at transit stops, removal of downtown garbage collection; and charging of rent for emergency services locations. 5. In -camera Meeting Authorization Councillor B. loannidis declared a conflict with regards to item 6.1 Property Disposition - Status Update (Land Disposition and Solicitor Client Privilege - Section 239 2 (c) and (f)), COR -2024-529 on the agenda this date, due to his place of employment, and accordingly he did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter. Councillor P. Singh declared a conflict with item 5.2 Follow-up Land Acquisition Negotiation (Land Acquisition and instruction for negotiation - Section 239 2 (c) and (k)) on the November 18, 2024 Special Council agenda as a member of his family resides within the vicinity, and accordingly he did not participate in any voting or discussion on the matter. Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni 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 two matters, one a land disposition and solicitor client privilege matter and a matter of solicitor client privilege and litigation/potential litigation as authorized by Sections 239 (c) (e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively." Carried 6. Recess and Reconvene The Special Council meeting then recessed at 4:32 p.m. and reconvened at 5:24 p.m., chaired by Councillor P. Singh, Acting Mayor, with all members present except Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor S. Stretch. M 7, Items arising from in -camera 71 Property Disposition - Status Update (Land Disposition and Solicitor Client Privilege - Section 239 2 (c) and (f)), COR -2024-529 Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That the resolution dated April 29, 2024 regarding 12.2.a Affordable Housing Opportunity (Land Disposition - Section 239 (2) (c)) be amended to delete the words "Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region Inc." and replace them with "BUILD NOW: Holborn Court" to facilitate a donation of lands to the correct legal entity." 8. �gy-laws 8.1 Three Readings Moved by Councillor J. Deneault Seconded bv CouncillorA. 0woVu-tiii I ijllijijl� 8.1.a To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for December 2, 2024. > Mayor . . ....... . . . . ... . ... . ........ .... ...... ,D&v4? Cierk" (By-law 2024-198) I