HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2025-04-14 SSpecial Council Meeting
Minutes
April 14, 2025, 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 B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Absent: Councillor P. Singh
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
L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
1. Commencement
A meeting of City Council was held at 5:12 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B.
Vrbanovic. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of
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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
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3. Presentations
3.1 Grand River Transit - 10 year Business Plan - Presentation
Kevan Marshall, Manager of Transit Development, Region of Waterloo,
presented the 10 -Year Business Plan. K. Marshall shared that Grant River Transit
(GRT) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. K. Marshall provided an overview of the
GRT 10 -year business plan, including but not limited to the purpose, the guiding
principles, an overview of the community engagement process and the feedback
received to support the proposed plan. K. Marshall provided highlights of the
Transit Investment Priorities including by not limited to: Bus and Train proposals;
Specialized Service proposals; Township proposals; Fare proposals; the Benefits
for the Region; and, how GRT is supporting all seven area municipalities. K.
Marshall highlighted next steps noting staff would be providing an update to
Regional Council on April 8, 2025 and Regional staff would be continuing to seek
feedback from all Regional municipalities between April and May 2025. Neil
Malcom and Doug Spooner were also in attendance to respond to questions from
the Council.
Questions were raised regarding the mobility plus program, opinions were
expressed about continuing to prioritize the expansion of that program within the
10 -year plan.
Questions were raised about southwest area of Kitchener, K. Marshall advised
that current and future growth for south-west Kitchener has been reviewed and
pending Regional Council approval, there have been some key corridors
identified and in future budget, those will be reviewed for refinement and
implementation. Future budget discussions will determine how fast these routes
can be implemented.
In response to questions, D. Spooners advised there are four top priorities for
GRT including: consistency, new transit areas, frequency, and, highway express.
These are budgetary challenges, staff do continue to seek opportunities to
communicate as well.
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Questions were raised about the possibility of using minibuses, D. Spooner
advised the most expensive part of transit is staffing to operate and maintain the
vehicles, noting the cost of the buses and running them are marginal expenses.
D. Spooner did note that staff would continue to review different transportation
options to try to maintain affordability.
In response to questions about snow removal, D. Spooner advised the bus stops
are maintained under a Regional contract, there are 1700 bus stops. Staff have
made changes recently to reduce the required maintenance time from 72 -hours
to 48 Hours. Staff continue to review options for enhancements to this service.
Further questions were raised related to special event public transportation,
public transit for the airport, and enhancements to the service for the City of
Cambridge.
Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time and reentering the meeting at
this time.
In response to further questions, D. Spooner advised staff want to maintain
ultimately flexibility and in the in the spirit of the Business Planning process, staff
have not put forward an implementation plan, to allow the opportunity to continue
to balance new services against those services that are receiving a high volume
of people.
4. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic
None.
5. In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councillor M. Johnston
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 a solicitor / client privilege
and potential litigation matter and a personal matter as authorized by
Sections 239 (b) (e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."
6. By-laws
6.1 Three Readings
Moved by Councillor C. Michaud
Seconded by Councillor J. Deneault
Carried
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"That the by-laws be given third reading, namely:
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