Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
Council Agenda - 2025-05-05
Council Meeting Agenda Monday, May 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers - Hybrid City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 People interested in participating in this meeting can register online using the delegation registration form at www.kitchener.ca/delegation or via email at delegation kitchener.ca. Please refer to the delegation section on the agenda below for registration in-person and electronic participation deadlines. Written comments received will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record. The meeting live -stream and archived videos are available at www.kitchener.ca/watchnow *Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.* Pages 1. COMMENCEMENT The meeting will begin with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the singing of "O Canada." 2. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL Minutes to be accepted as circulated to the Mayor and Councillors (regular meeting held April 7, 2025, and special meetings held April 7, April 14, and April 24,2025) - Councillor J. Deneault. 3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF Members of Council and members of the City's local boards/committees are required to file a written statement when they have a conflict of interest. If a conflict is declared, please visit www.kitchener.ca/conflict to submit your written form. 4. COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE 5 4.1 Flag & Illumination Request under Policy MUN-FAC-442 4.1.a KW Habitation - Community Living Month - Illumination - May 1, 2025 4.1.b Ink -stained Wretches - UN World Press Freedom Day - Illumination - May 3, 2025 4.1.c Lupus Ontario - World Lupus Day - Illumination - May 10, 2025 4.1.d Huntington Society of Canada - Huntington Disease Awareness Month - Illumination - May 11, 2025 4.1.e Fibromyalgia Assocation Canada - Illumination - May 12, 2025 4.1.f CanBoat / Grand River Squadron - Safe Boating Awareness Week - Flags - May 17-23, 2025 4.1.g Eritrean Canadian KW Community - Eritrean Independence Day - Flags - May 19-25, 2025 4.1.h Bahamas High Commission - Bahamian Independence Day - Illumination - July 10, 2025 4.1.i Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada - Prostate Cancer Awareness - Illumination - September 13, 2025 PRESENTATIONS 5.1 Smart 20 Cities Award recognition - Kitchener's Sustainable Urban Forest DELEGATIONS Pursuant to Council's Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of five (5) minutes. All Delegations where possible are encouraged to register prior to the start of the meeting. For Delegates who are attending in-person, registration is permitted up to the start of the meeting. Delegates who are interested in attending virtually must register by 5:00 p.m. on May 5, 2025, in order to participate electronically. 6.1 Kitchener City Bird — The Dark Eyed Junco, INS -2025-194, listed as Item 12.1.a 6.1.a Meredith Blunt, Bird Friendly City Kitchener 6.2 Waterloo Region Community Energy (WRCE) 2024 Progress Report, DSD -2025-106, listed as Item 12.2.c 6.2.a Matthew Day, WR Community Energy 6.3 Growing Together East, DSD -2025-083, and addendum Report DSD - 2025 -217, listed as item 7.2.d 6.3.a Stephen Litt, Vive Development 10 21 22 Page 2 of 177 6.4 Fireworks By-law Review, CSD -2025-052, listed as item 7.1.c 6.4.a Priyam Vyas 6.4.b Sim Sahota 6.4.c Greg Kasparian 6.4.d Tom Jacobs 6.4.e Lovedeep Grewal 6.4.f Sherman Heer 6.4.g Audrey Heutzenroeder 6.4.h Juri Kasemets 6.4.i Aleem Kanji 6.4.j Stuart Smith 6.4.k Sunny Singh 6.4.1 Harm Gill 6.4.m James Fawcett 6.4.n Ajay Tandel 6.4.o Preeti Dulku 6.4.p Sarah Goodhart 6.4.q Dylan Tuck 6.4.r Vaibhav Vaibhav 6.4.s Lukasz Kabata 6.4.t Parm Gill 6.4.0 Robert Williams 6.4.v Marion Markham 7. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 7.1 COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE - APRIL 14, 2025 7.1.a 2025 Procedural By-law Amendments, Chapter 25 (Procedure) City of Kitchener Municipal Code, COR -2025-162 That Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, be repealed and replaced, with the By-law attached as Appendix `B' to Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-162. Page 3 of 177 7.1.b Vision Zero Annual Project Update, DSD -2025-040 That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2025 safety improvements as outlined in Attachment 'A' (Vision Zero 2025 Safety Improvements) of Development Services Department report DSD - 2025 -040 to support implementation of the Vision Zero Strategy; and, That an All -Way Stop be installed at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and St Leger Street; and, That a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) Level 2, Type B be installed on East Avenue at Borden Street (in front of the Kitchener Auditorium); and, That stopping be prohibited at any time 15 metres from each PXO crossing at each approach, and ten (10) metres immediately following each PXO crossing; and further, That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly. 7.1.c Fireworks By-law Review, CSD -2025-052 That the Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law be amended to prohibit the sale of Fireworks within the city of Kitchener starting January 2026, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD - 2025 -052; and, That the increased regulations governing the permitted times for setting off fireworks, be approved, as proposed in Report CSD -2025- 052; and, That the proposed by-law attached to Report CSD -2025-052, to repeal and replace the existing Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law (Chapter 739), as noted in Appendix A, be approved, and that the Clerk be authorized to update Chapter 739 (Fireworks and Firecrackers) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code to reflect the proposed changes; and further, That the Administrative Penalty By-law Fines for Firework attached to Report CSD -2025-052, be approved. 7.2 PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE -APRIL 14, 2025 7.2.a 2024-2026 Climate Change and Environment Committee Work Plan, DSD -2025-143 That the Climate Change and Environment Committee Work Plan 2024 - 2026 as appended as Attachment 'A' to Development Services Page 4 of 177 Department report, DSD -2025-143, be approved. 7.2.b Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy (WREDS), DSD - 2025 -134 That the 2025 Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy be endorsed to guide collaboration among municipal economic development partners, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-134. 7.2.c Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/014/L/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/030/L/BB, 288-292 Lawrence Avenue, S&S Stemco Inc. c/o Scott Stemerdink, DSD -2025-034 That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/24/014/L/BB for the property municipally addressed as 288-292 Lawrence Avenue for S&S Stemco Inc. c/o Scott Stemerdink requesting to change the Urban Structure on Map 2 from `Industrial Employment Areas' to `Community Areas' and Land Use on Map 3 from `General Industrial Employment' to `Low Rise Residential', be approved, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-034 as Attachments 'Al', `A2',and `A3'; and further," That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/030/L/BB for or the property municipally addressed as 288-292 Lawrence Avenue for S&S Stemco Inc. c/o Scott Stemerdink be approved in the form shown in the `Proposed By-law', and `Map No. 1', attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2024-034 as Attachments '131' and `B2'. 7.2.d Growing Together East - Land Use and Zoning Framework, DSD- 29 2025-083, and addendum Report DSD -2025-217 That City -initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA24/010/COK/MR, for the purpose of implementing a land use planning framework for 3 of the City's Protected Major Transit Station Areas, including amendments to mapping and text, be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-083 as Attachment `A', and accordingly forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval; and, That City -initiated Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA24/020/COK/MR to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, for lands within 3 of the City's Protected Major Transit Station Areas, be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law attached to Development Services Page 5 of 177 8. 9. 10. 11. Department report, DSD -2025-083 as Attachment `B'; and. That City -initiated Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA25/004/COK/MR to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, for lands subject to Zoning By-law 85-1 and to be brought into Zoning By-law 2019-051, be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law attached to Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-083 as Attachment `C'; and further, That City -initiated Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA24/020/COK/MR to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051 shall have no force and effect until By-law 2024-065 (Growing Together PMTSAs) is in full force and effect. Note: An addendum report, Development Services Department report DSD -2025-217 has been included on the agenda this date, related to this matter. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 9.1 - MAYORAL BUSINESS AND UPDATES - MAYOR B. VRBANOVIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY-LAWS 11.1 1ST AND 2ND READING 11.1.a To further amend By-law No. 2008-117, being a by-law to authorize certain on -street and off-street parking of vehicles for use by persons with a disability, and the issuing of permits in respect thereof. 11.1.b To further amend By-law No. 88-171, being a by-law to designate private roadways as fire routes and to prohibit parking thereon. 11.1.c To further amend By-law No. 2010-190, being a by-law to prohibit unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on private property. 11.1.d Being a by-law to amend Chapter 110 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code regarding By-law Enforcement. 11.1.e To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for May 5, 2025. 11.2 LATE STARTER BY-LAWS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA, PENDING APPROVAL OF THE REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES 11.2.a Being a by-law to adopt Amendment No. 61 to the Official Plan - 288- 292 Lawrence Avenue. 11.2.b Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - M.S.E.E. Inc. and S & S Page 6 of 177 12. 13. 14 Stemco Inc. - 288-292 Lawrence Avenue. 11.2.c Being a by-law to adopt Amendment No. 62 to the Official Plan - Growing Together East - Protected Major Transit Station Areas. 11.2.d Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - Growing Together East (PMTSA Lands). 11.2.e Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - Growing Together East (Non-PMTSA Lands). 11.2.f Being a by-law to regulate the use of Fireworks and to prohibit the sales of Fireworks and to prohibit the sale and use of Firecrackers. 11.2.g Being a by-law with respect to Procedure, known as the "Procedural By-law. 11.2.h Being a by-law to set and levy the rates of taxation for City purposes for the year 2025 and to provide for the payment of taxes after interim taxes. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 12.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 12.1.a Kitchener City Bird — The Dark Eyed Junco, INS -2025-194 43 12.1.b Arts and Entertainment Reserve, DSD -2025-207 109 12.1.c Downtown Kitchener BIA and Belmont BIA 2025 Budgets, FIN -2025- 114 212, FIN -2025-212 12.1.d Terms of Reference — Dog Designation Appeal Committee and 118 Property Standards Appeal Committee, COR -2025-204 12.2 FOR INFORMATION 12.2.a 2024 Pivot Net -0 update, DSD -2025-133 134 12.2.b Summary of Bid Solicitations Approved by the Chief Procurement 171 Officer (January 1, 2025 — March 31, 2025), FIN -2025-218 12.2.c Waterloo Region Community Energy (WRCE) 2024 Progress Report, 176 DSD -2025-106 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BY-LAWS 14.1 3RD READING 14.1.a To further amend By-law No. 2008-117, being a by-law to authorize certain on -street and off-street parking of vehicles for use by persons with a disability, and the issuing of permits in respect thereof. Page 7 of 177 (By-law 2025-042) 14.1.b To further amend By-law No. 88-171, being a by-law to designate private roadways as fire routes and to prohibit parking thereon. (By-law 2025-043) 14.1.c To further amend By-law No. 2010-190, being a by-law to prohibit unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on private property. (By-law 2025-044) 14.1.d Being a by-law to amend Chapter 110 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code regarding By-law Enforcement. (By-law 2025-045) 14.1.e To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for May 5, 2025. (By-law 2025-054) 14.2 LATE STARTER BY-LAWS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA, PENDING APPROVAL OF THE REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES 14.2.a Being a by-law to adopt Amendment No. 61 to the Official Plan - 288- 292 Lawrence Avenue. (By-law 2025-046) 14.2.b Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - M.S.E.E. Inc. and S & S Stemco Inc. - 288-292 Lawrence Avenue. (By-law 2025-047) 14.2.c Being a by-law to adopt Amendment No. 62 to the Official Plan - Growing Together East - Protected Major Transit Station Areas. (By-law 2025-048) 14.2.d Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - Growing Together East (PMTSA Lands). (By-law 2025-049) 14.2.e Being a by-law to amend By-law 2019-051, as amended, known as the Zoning By-law for the City of Kitchener - Growing Together East (Non-PMTSA Lands). (By-law 2025-050) 14.2.f Being a by-law to regulate the use of Fireworks and to prohibit the sales of Fireworks and to prohibit the sale and use of Firecrackers. Page 8 of 177 (By-law 2025-051) 14.2.g Being a by-law with respect to Procedure, known as the "Procedural By-law. (By-law 2025-052) 14.2.h Being a by-law to set and levy the rates of taxation for City purposes for the year 2025 and to provide for the payment of taxes after interim taxes. 15. ADJOURNMENT (By-law 2025-053) Page 9 of 177 0 0 a� co 0- B 9 co Yr 4-1 �Dllllllll1IIII as ; 1-4 1IM14 c � �IIIIIIIIIIIP �IIIIIIIIII � � � �� E 9 I I 0 9 4 I 0 LO a) CD co 0 - CL O a V a-+ i E E O V m V L: w t V l' 1' • • • 1 • LO 1 •` 1 cn 4-a • • / 1 C:� C:j • •; ) 1' CT 4-a • 1 1 • 1 a / • • • • • • • • 0 / 0 I 0 LO a) CD co 0 - CL O a V a-+ i E E O V m V L: w t V l' 1' • 1 • LO •` cn 1Co • / • ) 1' CT 4-a 1 1 / • • 1 • 1 • • „r / • t I 0 LO a) CD co 0 - CL O a V a-+ i E E O V m V L: w t V LU O N co 0 - CL O a m V i E E O V m V L: w t V a-+ • � rr • �r O N co 0 - CL O a m V i E E O V m V L: w t V a-+ m 10 ro CIO fn �2 Ln C 0 C: 0 ro E mm m R, 0 I 0 00 a) CD co 0- 11 in 0 0 0, , u t-, 0 a C) a c fA cu cl, w cp 0 0 0 0 8 m "a c (5 co o vq cr 11 A 11 0 cr LU m cu A 11mill -0 u 0 m 10 ro CIO fn �2 Ln C 0 C: 0 ro E mm m R, 0 I 0 00 a) CD co 0- 11 A 11 1 A 1 1 1 0 <1` EO 0 0 N N CD co 0- Q) 4-J V) C: 0 E U 0 0 OL o -0 V) C) U Z 0 L- V) E u -E u E 0 ul cz u 0 -0 E'S��s a) u E 4., 4-J Lu Q) Q) 0 > 0 cz r4 - > L- 0 V) L) N 0 -J -o E 0 4-J 0 cz cz 0 _0 -0 4— I.J cz Q) a) _rZ W u 4-- r -j Q) W -0 a) _r taA 4-J xxo w I—Z 6 CO -0 4- w m Q) 0 0 a) C: -E o -6j _0 E cz E U) L Q) > V) 0 L) L- _0 E -5 CL L) u o Z m �: U-) Q) rr Q) 3: C M 0 4— X (1) Q) (1) -i-D CO u 4— o z 0 CDLU rr 0 J rrW a z U)z 0 U)z Q rlc LU z LU O co =3 V 0 co N N CD co 0- C*-® � � rr LU z LU z 0 r)z LU r C/) LU 0 C) 1: C) � � 3: 0 �r � gcksj:e % \ � . x '-1 D CD cr w� Z � W N U� LU Z: O� 2 0 N N CD co 0— a 0 N N CD co 0— �J na W W U ca Q Cn 0 �ssO qq Ca N 0 b�0 LU ww'w �� wwwwww� no 'vs em' 4100 'Ne O co O N Z O E N H 0 r -- CN N CD co 0- Em, Ir" go's r4 E CL 0 m crl� 77� " c , I 0 00 CN N CD co 0- CIO 0 CL I A: limp, ll� Em, Ir" go's r4 E CL 0 m crl� 77� " c , I 0 00 CN N CD co 0- Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director, Planning and Housing Policy/City Planner, 519-783-8929 PREPARED BY: Adam Clark, Senior Urban Designer, 519-783-8931 Elyssa Pompa, Policy Planner, 519-783-8943 Natalie Goss, Manager, Policy & Research, 519-783-8933 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3 DATE OF REPORT: April 30, 2025 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-217 SUBJECT: Supplemental Report to DSD -2025-083 - Growing Together East RECOMMENDATION: That City Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/020/COK/MR to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051 for lands within 3 of the City's Protected Major Transit Station Areas be approved in the form shown in the "Proposed By-law" attached to Report DSD -2025-083 presented to Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee on April 14, 2025 and as modified as outlined in report DSD -2025-217. Pursuant to Section 35(17) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. C P.13, as amended further notice is not required to be given in respect to the City initiated Zoning By-law amendment. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to outline a staff recommended modification to the City initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/020/COK/MR to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051 for lands within the Block Line, Fairway, and Sportsworld Protected Major Transit Station Areas in response to the written submission provided by the Region of Waterloo at the statutory public meeting on this matter on April 14, 2025. • There are no financial implications associated with this recommendation. • This report supports Building a Connected City Together: Focuses on neighbourhoods; housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around easily, sustainably and safely to the places and spaces that matter. BACKGROUND: At the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee (PSIC) meeting on April 14, 2025 a statutory public meeting was held to provide an opportunity for written and oral submissions to be made with respect to the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments within *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 29 of 177 Growing Together East (i.e., the Block Line, Fairway, and Sportsworld Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs)). As part of the statutory public meeting, the Region of Waterloo (Region) made a written submission (Attachment A) reiterating their request for modifications to the proposed Official Plan amendment and Zoning By-law amendment for the PMTSAs on matters related to maximum heights and compatibility with the Waterloo Region International Airport; and requirements for a transit assessment. This report provides staff's response and recommendations related to this submission. REPORT: Region of Waterloo International Airport Through their April 14, 2025 written submission, Regional staff reiterated their request that maximum heights be included as specific regulations in the SGA -4 zone and that maximum heights in the zoning by-law include temporary structures such as construction cranes. Further, the Region highlighted that as the Region of Waterloo International Airport has advanced work on an updated Airport Zoning Regulation (AZR) subject to Federal approval, refinements to maximum heights within the Block Line, Fairway, and Sportsworld PMTSAs have been proposed. Through subsequent conversations between City and Regional staff following the April 14th, 2025 statutory public meeting, it is understood that these refinements propose maximum heights in portions of the 3 Growing Together East PMTSAs that may result in buildings and temporary structures being restricted to heights that are lower than the SGA -3 zone maximum permitted height of 28 storeys. Planning staff continue to recommend the use of a holding provision to establish maximum heights and require the submission of an NAV Canada Land Use Assessment or aeronautical assessment as part of any application that is seeking increases beyond the maximum height permitted through the draft AZR. The use of this holding provision will be in place during the interim period while work is underway on new Airport Zoning Regulations. Planning staff are of the opinion that a holding provision continues to be the most effective and efficient Planning Act tool that ensures land use compatibility and provides protection against any potential aviation safety hazards impacting on the long-term operation and economic role of the Region of Waterloo International Airport while at the same time ensuring an efficient, cost-effective development approvals process. In light of the clarity provided regarding the proposed height maximums in the proposed AZR as outlined in the Region's April 14, 2025 written submission and subsequent conversation regarding the same, planning staff are recommending that Council modify the proposed Growing Together East PMTSA Zoning By-law amendment attached as Attachment B to report DSD -2025-083 presented at the April 14th PSIC meeting as follows: • that proposed holding provision 111 H be applied to all properties proposed to be zoned SGA -3 within the Block Line, Fairway, and Sportsworld PMTSAs; and, • that the wording of proposed holding provision 111 H be modified as follows: "111 H. Within the lands zoned SGA -3 and SGA -4 and shown as affected by this provision on Zoning Grid Schedules 145, 146, 147, 169, 170, 171, 172, 196, 197, 198, 218, 219, 220, 278, 279, 288, 289, 290, 295, and 296 of Appendix A, buildings and structures, including temporary structures within Page 30 of 177 the following Protected Major Transit Station Areas as shown on Appendix F, shall not exceed the following maximum heights: a) Block Line: 120.0 metres b) Fairway: 92.4 metres c) Sportsworld: 110.0 metres Until such time as: a) A detailed NAV Canada Land Use Assessment or Aeronautical Assessment prepared by a qualified consultant to the satisfaction of NAV Canada, in consultation with the Region, and the holding symbol affecting these lands has been removed by by-law. The recommendations and/or conditions including maximum permitted building and structure height, will be secured through a development agreement in accordance with section 41 of the Planning Act, R. S. O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended, and registered on the title to the lands; or b) The Region has completed the Region of Waterloo International Airport Master Plan update in progress at the time of the application of this holding provision and any necessary updates to the Federal Airport Zoning Regulations have been completed, and the holding symbol affecting these lands has been removed by by-law." For the reasons outlined in Attachment D to report DSD -2025-083, the above modification to proposed Growing Together East PMTSA Zoning By-law amendment is consistent with the Provincial policies and plans, is consistent with the Regional Official Plan, as amended, is consistent with Kitchener's Official Plan, including the proposed Growing Together East Official Plan amendment, and represents good planning. Transit Assessment Through their April 14, 2025 written submission, Regional staff reiterated their request for the inclusion of a holding provision that would require a transit assessment for properties within 40 metres of Stage 1 and Stage 2 ION. A transit assessment is being sought as a way to assess and ensure that transit (i.e., Grand River Transit and ION light rail transit) infrastructure and operations are coordinated with development. Despite the additional information provided on this matter through the Region's April 14th written submission on Growing Together East and subsequent conversations between Regional and City staff, planning staff continue to have questions about the scope of a transit assessment; how it differs from a traffic impact study that is a normal study requirement for a complete development application; how a qualified professional on behalf of an applicant would be able to assess impacts on transit operation delays and required improvements to transit infrastructure; and how any recommended mitigation measures could be appropriately secured through a development approvals process. Given these outstanding questions, planning staff continue to have reservations recommending a holding provision for a transit assessment. Further, introducing a holding provision for the Growing Together East PMTSAs will introduce inconsistency in the zoning framework within the PMTSAs as the same holding provisions were not requested or implemented through Growing Together West. Despite this, a policy has been included in the recommended Official Plan amendment, with modifications as requested by the Region, to protect for transit infrastructure (proposed Official Plan policy 15.D.12.81). This policy is Page 31 of 177 specific to the Growing Together East PMTSAs and builds on Regional Official Plan policy 5.A.3. Adding a holding provision where the intent and mechanism to satisfy it is unclear adds unnecessary time, costs, and risks to the development process. The City, Region, and property owners have worked together successfully through the development approvals process without a hold for a transit assessment on a number of applications to secure transit infrastructure including Highland Hills mall, The Boardwalk, and Sportsworld. There continues to be the opportunity to utilize the development approvals process to work with property owners to secure transit and other infrastructure. Kitchener has seen unprecedented growth in its PMTSAs over the past ten years and has secured required transit infrastructure through the development approvals process for many sites without a transit assessment holding provision. The City's Official Plan contains transit -oriented policies and the City's Zoning By-law has several regulations requiring a transit supportive built form, including direction on building placement and site design. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Building a Connected City Together: Focuses on neighbourhoods; housing and ensuring secure, affordable homes; getting around easily, sustainably and safely to the places and spaces that matter. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget. Operating Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community and collaborator engagement for Growing Together East was outlined in report DSD -2025-083. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13 • Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 • Regional Official Plan • City of Kitchener Official Plan, 2014 • City of Kitchener Zoning By-law 2019-051 • Growing Together East — Protected Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework (DSD -2025-083) • Growing Together East (Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework) — Project Launch (DSD -2024-237) • Growing Together — Protected Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework (DSD -2024-005 and DSD -2024-128) APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Region of Waterloo written submission on Growing Together East dated April 14, 2025 Page 32 of 177 April 14, 2025 Amanda Fusco City Clerk City of Kitchener amanda.fusco@kitchener.ca Dan Chapman Chief Administrative Officer City of Kitchener dan.chapman@kitchener.ca Region of Waterloo 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener Ontario N2G 4B Canada Telephone: 519-575-4400 Fax: 519-575-4449 www.regionofwaterloo.ca Subject: Growing Together East — Land Use and Zoning Framework — DSD -2025-083 The Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener share the important goals of building more homes, creating safe and connected communities, and protecting long-term economic prosperity. As the City of Kitchener advances the Growing Together East — Land Use and Zoning Framework, Regional staff continue to support directing growth and intensification toward the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) and Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs). However, we are writing to express continued and significant concerns with elements of the proposed zoning by-law amendment, as outlined in Appendix B of Report DSD -2025-083. These concerns relate specifically to the ongoing and future operations of two critical Regional assets: the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and Grand River Transit (GRT). Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) As the owner and operator of YKF, the Region emphasizes that aviation safety and long-term viability of the airport are paramount. Regional staff have previously raised concerns regarding the lack of height restrictions to ensure aircraft flight path reliability, passenger safety, and the airport's continued contribution to the region's economic development. Unfortunately, these recommendations have not been reflected in the latest draft of the zoning by-law. Implementing appropriate height limits is essential to preserving safe flight operations. YKF plays a vital economic role in our community. In 2023 alone, the airport generated $390 million in total economic output, supported 1,360 jobs, $100 million in wages, and $28 million in tax revenue. The airport is a strategic economic driver for both local and international connectivity, and it has been clearly demonstrated that intensification and flight path protection can co -exist with appropriate provisions in the planning framework. Page 1 of 10 Page 33 of 177 Grand River Transit (GRT) and ION Light Rail Transit As the operator of GRT, the Region is also concerned about the planning and integration of the three existing MTSAs affected by the Growing Together East framework—Block Line, Fairway, and Sportsworld. Coordinating transit considerations with development in these areas is critical to the success of the ION light rail expansion (Stage 1 and Stage 2) and conventional bus service integration. Regional staff have recommended the inclusion of a holding provision to ensure development around these MTSAs proceeds in alignment with transit planning. Unfortunately, this recommendation has not been incorporated. A proactive approach to transit -oriented development is essential, especially as we prepare for Stage 2 of ION, which is foundational to our region's future growth and sustainability. Stage 1 of ION has already demonstrated the value of thoughtful, integrated planning, spurring nearly $5 billion in development along the corridor and expanding housing options. With over 24 million transit trips delivered in 2024, ensuring seamless integration of Stage 2 and future transit growth is more important than ever. Summary of Requested Changes To support continued collaboration and ensure the viability of these critical services, the Region respectfully requests the following revisions be made prior to approval of the proposed zoning by-law amendment: 1. Remove Holding Provision 111 and instead include maximum building heights as part of the zoning category for lands zoned SGA -4, as previously requested. 2. Include temporary cranes and structures within the defined maximum height for lands zoned SGA -3 in the Fairway Road Station Area. 3. Add a holding provision on all properties within 40 metres of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ION alignment, requiring a Transit Assessment to the satisfaction of the Region of Waterloo's Commissioner of Transportation Services. We also reiterate our request to receive any Notice of Decision related to both the Official Plan Amendment and the Zoning By-law Amendment. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the City to build a vibrant, connected community that supports both regional transit and aviation operations and are confident that the Growing Together East framework can achieve its intensification goals while protecting the critical infrastructure our community and economy depend on. More detailed comments are provided in Appendix A and B, attached to this letter. Would you please ensure that this letter is placed before the Mayor and City Councillors for their consideration during discussion of this matter. Page 2 of 10 Page 34 of 177 Thank you for your consideration. Yours sincerely, Mathieu Goetzke Acting Chief Administrative Officer Appendix A: Growing Together East — Land Use and Zoning Framework — DSD -2025-083 Appendix B: Letter Regarding Protected Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework — Implications for Aircraft Safety and Region of Waterloo International Airport dated March 15, 2024 cc: Justin Readman, City of Kitchener, General Manager, Development Services Rosa Bustamante, City of Kitchener, Director, Planning and Housing Policy Garett Stevenson, City of Kitchener, Director, Development and Housing Approvals Rod Regier, Region of Waterloo, Commissioner, Planning, Development and Legislative Services Danielle De Fields, Region of Waterloo, Director, Regional Growth, Development and Sustainability Services Amanda Kutler, Associate Director, Development Services, Planning, Development and Legislative Services Page 3 of 10 Page 35 of 177 Appendix A: Subject: Growing Together East — Land Use and Zoning Framework — DSD -2025-083 The Region continues to support the City's Growing Together work and shares common goals with respect to directing growth and intensification to the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) and Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs). However, as owner and operator of the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YI<F) and Grand River Transit (GRT) we are writing to express concerns with specific aspects of the proposed zoning by-law amendment included as Appendix B of Report DSD -2025-083 as it relates to these responsibilities. Protection of GRT and YKF services is critical to support the objectives of Growing Together East. Not incorporating the Region's comments as requested in the amendment has the potential to undermine the City's ability to achieve the objectives in Growing Together East. Implications for Aircraft Safety and Region of Waterloo International Airport The Region objects to the use of a holding provision to regulate height in the SGA -4 zoning category as it relates to the Region of Waterloo International Airport. The holding provision approach creates unnecessary risk that could result in incompatible land uses and development and potential aviation safety hazards impacting the long-term operation and economic role of YKF. It is the Region's position that including a maximum height regulation in the zoning by-law itself and not as part of a holding provision, is the most effective, efficient and transparent mechanism for ensuring the continued safety of residents and operation of Waterloo Region's airport. A maximum height regulation contained in a holding provision does not have the same effect. Detailed comments on the concerns as they relate to the use of a holding provision were submitted to the City through Growing Together West and are attached to this letter. These issues continue to be of concern to the Region as it relates to Growing Together East. As such, the Region requests that prior to approval of the proposed zoning by-law amendment that holding provision 111 be removed and a maximum height regulation be included within the MTSAs (specifically on lands zoned SGA -3 within the Fairway Road MTSA and all lands zoned SGA -4) as requested by Region staff through the Growing Together East consultation process. When Regional comments were provided on Growing Together West height maximums were based on a June 2024 Aeronautical Assessment prepared by IDS. Since that time the Region has advanced work on new Airport Zoning Regulations (AZR) that will ultimately impose new or updated Federal regulations for the Region, including the lands subject to the Growing Together East amendments. As a result of this work maximum heights that the Region can support are now available. This information was provided to City staff through the consultation process in response to the City's circulations of draft technical materials and communicated through several meetings with City staff. As the maximum heights are known, it is not Page 4 of 10 Page 36 of 177 anticipated the Region would be able to support any additional height beyond these maximums through an aeronautical assessment. The holding provision, as proposed, requires an applicant to complete an aeronautical assessment to the satisfaction of Nav Canada in consultation with the Region in order to increase the base maximum height imposed in the by-law, which will be secured in a site plan agreement. As maximum heights are known through the work to support the new AZR, the use of a holding provision that includes a requirement to complete an aeronautical assessment creates unnecessary process and a lack of transparency for developers. As well, there is a serious risk relating to the ability to regulate building heights through the site plan approval process. The Region also identified a concern with the maximum height of 25 storeys on lands zoned SGA -3 within the Fairway Road Station Area, as cranes above 25 storeys could interfere with airport operations. This maximum height regulation must account for cranes and/or temporary structures. As a result, and in addition to the above comments, the proposed zoning by-law included in Appendix B may not conform with the Official Plan or contain the necessary provisions relating to the use of the holding symbol as required by the Planning Act. Grand River Transit — Stage 1 and 2 ION The Growing Together East project applies to three MTSAs in the City of Kitchener: Block Line, Fairway and Sportsworld. Planning for these MTSAs is critical to ensuring smooth integration of Stage 1 and Stage 2 ION from the existing light rail terminus at Fairway Station into southeast Kitchener and Cambridge and the integration of conventional bus service with this system. Throughout the Growing Together East initiative, through written correspondence and in meetings with City staff, Regional staff advised of the importance of integrating transit considerations in the land use planning framework for this area. Specifically, to ensure that future development in these MTSAs integrates seamlessly with transit infrastructure, the Region requested the imposition of a holding provision on all properties within 40 meters of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ION alignment requiring a Transit Assessment to the satisfaction of the Region of Waterloo Commissioner of Transportation Services. The intent of the holding provision was not to preclude development but as a transparent way to identify required studies for developments in a limited area abutting existing and future transit infrastructure. Similar to the requirement for a Transportation Impact Study, a Transit Assessment will identify any impacts (i.e. operational delays, infrastructure/signal adjustments, etc.) of a proposed development on the existing ION LRT operations/stations and on the Regional Council Approved S21ON Rapid transit alignment, and if impacts are anticipated the assessment would recommend mitigation measures, including functional designs for potential infrastructure Page 5 of 10 Page 37 of 177 improvements. The Terms of Reference for the Transit Assessment are to be approved by the Region of Waterloo prior to the study being undertaken. The Transit Assessment is intended to obtain additional, application-specific information, to ensure future development is integrated with, and does not negatively impact, existing transit operations and planned expansion to rapid transit services and infrastructure. Further should the Transit Assessment identify negative impacts, it would make recommendations to mitigate the impacts. The proposed Growing Together ZBA included as Appendix B of Report DSD -2025-083 does not contain the requested transit related holding provision. Addressing the transit impact assessment earlier in the process through a holding provision creates clear expectations on the requirements to coordinate and integrate transit operation with the site before proceeding to the more detailed site plan process. Regional staff request that prior to approval, the City of Kitchener revise the proposed zoning by-law amendment to reflect the transit holding provision as requested by the Region. In summary, the Region requests that prior to the approval of the proposed zoning by-law amendment included as Appendix B the City: 1) Remove holding provision 111 and include maximum heights as part of the zoning by- law itself for lands zoned SGA -4 as requested by Region staff through the Growing Together East consultation process; 2) Include temporary cranes or structures within the maximum height for lands zoned SGA -3 within the Fairway Road Station Area; and 3) Add a holding provision on all properties within 40 meters of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ION alignment requiring a Transit Assessment to the satisfaction of the Region of Waterloo Commissioner of Transportation Services. As previously requested, we anticipate receiving a copy of any Notice of Decision for both the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments. Page 6 of 10 Page 38 of 177 Appendix B: March t.5, 2024 Mayor Berry Vdi M eimbeirs, of the City Cound I Kitchener City Hall 200 King St., W., 2nd floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4G,7 PLAN IN IN G, DEVE LOP ME NT AND LEGISLATIVE SERVICES 15,0 IFrederiiiclf Street, IEO'floor Kitchener Onta rib N2G 4J3 Canada Telephone: 519-575-4400 Fax. 5:11-9-575-4449 ,6"vv�.regiiioniohv2iterllloo.ca Subject. Protected Major Transit Station Area Land Use and Zoning Framework - Implications for AircraftSafetyand Region of ftatei-iloo International Ah -port The Region is generally supportive of the City's Girowl�ing Together work and shares coirnimon goals, w[th, ireslpeict to, directing growth, and intensification to the Urban Growth Cenitre (UGQ and M aj o r Tra nsft Station, Areas, (MTSAs)., li airn, wiriti ing to Ihi ighll ighft the importance of ensuring the safety and via bi lity of aircraft qperations at Region of Waterloo liniternational Airport ("YKF") to suyppoirt the needs of our growing cornmunity. YKIF continues to see increased use by Waterloo Region residents and those from neighbouring coirnimunities,, with rnoire than 445,,000 passengers travelling through the airport in, 2023. YKF !is an Virnportant gateway for residents, visitors aind businesses of Waterloo Region. To, enisure fliie safety of aircraft operations, the public health and safety of the community arld the future service of YKF to rneet local derriaind, the Region of" 8aterloo is concerned that the proposed approach to regulating height through a holding pirovisJon poses, a siginifitant risk to YKIF. lit Vis tine Region's IposVitVioin that niincludViing a Imrwaximulrn, height regulation Vila the zoning by-law is the rnosq effective, efficient and transparent innechanisim, for enisurinig the continued safety of res,idents and operation of Waterloo Region's, airpoirt., As our community grows, to I Imillibin residents, it is irnpeiraUve that more people live and work along the ION corridoir, and as, the qperator of the trainisft systern, the Regions has, a vested interest in, this, growth. This objective must be Ibalaniced with, the i to protect airpoirt qpeiraflons. Creating an unsafe ffight Ipath, Where a pflot may be required to navigate tall buildings Vila adverse coindiflons (sucbI as, Ipooir visibility, engine -out missed approaches) would result iin airlport approacbies beiing closed by Nav Canada. Together,, we must enisure that development does not Ipose a potential aviation safety Ihaaard Which would lead to a reduction of aviation, service in, Waterloo Region,. Veirsioim 8 Page I of 4 Page 7 of 10 Page 39 of 177 We havecutfined the niore techinical detaHls of this, Vissuae iiin the rernainder of this, letteir. With respect to potential aviation safety hiazards, there aire geographical areas in the City where the heightof buildings, and structures is, currently not specificallly re&lated iin the zoining by- law. These areas overlap with areas iiiin the City over which, aircraft operate under, Ilrmstiruiurmuermt Plight Procedures (IFP's) when, there are aircraft visibility issues, aridl which, are not other rwise subject to the buddiing and structure height Iiinifts in, the Airport Zoning Regulations (AZRs,),. The lack of a specific height regulation is problernat[c as,, Weare now, seeing developinient IproposaJlls, with buildiing heights that would interfere with the IFPs,,,, decreasing the overall safety @nd usability for larger aircraft operations at YK'F and Firm the sur,rounding area. Region i and City staff have been, working collaboratively over the last, year to address site specific clev6loprnlent applications that would iiiiniterfere wit.1i the safe operation of the airport.. As a result of thiols work, Nav Canada has, resolved conceirinis, for numerous applications by agreeing to redesign the histruinient Plight Pirocedures, (IRPs) around dowinitowin Kitchener. These redesigned FPs go to the IlIftnit of what Nav Canada will accept for a safe and efficient easterly approach to YKF. No further redesigin would be pos-sible without a signif[caint reduction iin access to the airport. While Region aind Citystaiff have collaborated on dev6lopme-nt applicatioins, a poteinitial e)(i'sts that Ipreseinitlly, a building of a height that i'literferes, with safe aircraft operation could Ibe permitted asofright withoutthe opportunity to address, liltthrough the plar-lining process. The IPegioin will Ibe working closely with the Area Municipalities on, upcoming zoning by-laws, to ensure the on-g6ling protection of the airport. Ilan Kitchener, the Growing T6gether work provides ars opportunity to address the lack. of a helght regulation on a coiniprehiensive Iasis, pirovicling clear transparent direction to developers. Region staffhave provided input throughout this, pirocess,with ireslpect to, including a maximum height directly iiiin the zoning by- law in, accordance it.1) policy directibin establislied in, the Region's Official Plan (ROPI), and City Official Plan policy. Chapter 5 of the ROP provides, a high level policy frarnework to, protect the airport Iby providing direction to thre Area Municipalities to, establish policies, to do, thi's in, their Official Plans. This, framework recaginizes that the Area Municipalities are responsible for the detailed level of plllariining that would iiiinigplerneint the location and building height specifics that could coniffict with airport safety., Specifically, Policy 5.A.,20 directs Area Municipalities to establish(policies yin their Official Plans to... "c), pfatect the Airpoftfroin development that wouUpreclude ar hinder the expo nsion or conthwed use, or which wou0be incompotibiefor reasons of pubfic health, publIk safety or environtriental concerns",, aind "e), prohlbit any land use that may cause cr potential a0atOnsafety hazard". Policy &C.11.7 of thie City's (--ffjcj al Plan Viinilpalernients, this ROP policy di rection, anid requires that the City will ens ure corif ormity with the Regional Official Plla ni and prohidDit, ainy land use or structure which, could affect the opeiration, of the Airport,,, cause a IpoteiritVlal aviation safety hazard, or be inicompatilcle for reasons of pul�3lic health, safety or environmental concerns. Page 2 of 4 Page 8 of 10 Page 40 of 177 Regulationof height is milost appropriately implemented iiiin the zoning by-law and the Region, relies on the Area Municipalities to implement these policies througli tl,ieir Zoning By-law. Kitcheneir staff report DSID-2:D2.4-005, proposeslo address maximuirni buildling l'ieigbits througli flie use of a Holding Provision JH) yin the zoning by-law. our, primary concern is tl,iat once the H is lifted, tne zoining liy-law would not liave a specific maximurn heiglit regulation. The proposed approach also llas, tyre potential to, exclude the Region, of Waterloo [international Airport entirely frorn the decision, making(process as the dedsJon to, lift a Holding is, delegated to, Kitcheneir staff, does not require consultation, with tliie Region, and is not appe,alable by the Regilon. As tlie owner and operator Vimpacted by these decisions, uit is critical thiat the Region Ibe [involved in any dedsJons rdlating to liei'glit impacting the ai'rpoirt as, It would the the Region who is respoinsible for mitigation to ensure safe opeirations3ind any associated costs,., In 2023, thie Region of Wateirlbo, International Airport retained IDS North Arnerica (IDS),,, an instrument fliglit praceduire design company, to evaluate the impact of potential obstacles located in, the vicinity of YKF and provide possible solutions for rniftigation., As per the results of this study, it remains our preference thiattlie Zoning By-law Arnendirneint contaJin specific maximum Ibuilllding lieiglits (indluding antennas, cranes, eta.). Transport Canada is currently in, the early stages of considering an, ex,, ainsibin totIlle Aeronautital Zoning Regulations to protect TKF operations. However, this pis a(Process thiat, will take nuirneirous,years to complete. A height regulation that is se,cuired in thie zoining liy-lalw is, required until such ti'me as Federal iregulatVions provide thre necessary pirotection, forYK'F., Alternatively, we have proposed a Special Regulation fliat, througli the zoning process, would provide for consideratibin of addlitional height, Iheyond that speldiffed iln the IDS work, as detailed in italics below. Tliis would eliminate the need foradditilional process,, such, W reirnoval of the H or a new Iby-law to re -impose the holding. Gur suggested language is as follows: Notwithstanding Section XX of this by4aw for the lands zoned XX on Schedule XX the maximum height of any buildings orstructures (Mcluding any cranes, antennas, or any on -roof attachments) is XXX* metres above sea level, or suchtnaxim,um, height demonstrated through a fond Use assessment by NavCanada or through an Aeronautical Assessynent prepared a quMified consultant to, the satisfaction of the Cammissianer of Manning, Development and Legis)ative Services for the Region, of Waterloo. Based on maximurn heiglits, imecornimnended by the IRegiiion, and tyle ability to consider increalsed height on a site specific Ibasis, t1ii's woOd permit significant height (approx. 40 (plus storeys) and density in the Growing Togetlier aireasto, support the City's achieverneint of Provincial IHousing Targets wIiile balanding matters of pul�3lic healtli and safety. The Regibin of Waterloo International Airport, Canada's fastest growing airport, 6" busiest airport by aircraft movernents, and 20"h 13,usiest airport by passenger voluirne, is a significant employer and econorn[c cantributor, prov[ding vital transportation servites,, to our community. Its continued safe opeiration is, vital to tyle Citizens, of the City of Kitcliener and the Waterloo Regibin as a lidle. Page 3 of 4 Page 9 of 10 Page 41 of 177 Yours Minceirely, Mathieu GGetz.ke. Acting Chief Administrative Officer CIC: City of Kitdheinier, Chief Adiministrati've Officer City of Kit&heinie r, Ge nie ra I M a nager, Ike elop rn e nt Se rvices City of'Kitdheinier, Director, Plainining and Housing Polilcy City of Kitdheinier, Director, Devel,op"nent and Housing Approvals Regibinial Chair Karen Redi"nain Regibini of Waterloo Councillors Regibin of Waterloo, Caminissjoiner, Planning Development aind Legislative Servites, Regibin of Waterloo, Director,, Community Planning *The carresponding height Nimit Ihia5 been Iprovi'ded to pity staff Ibased oini geography Page 4 of 4 Page 10 of 10 Page 42 of 177 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Infrastructure Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Jeffery Silcox -Childs, Director Parks & Cemeteries, 519-783-8877 PREPARED BY: Rachel Voros, Natural Areas Project Manager, 519-783-8883 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Ward(s) DATE OF REPORT: April 14, 2025 REPORT NO.: INS -2025-194 SUBJECT: Kitchener City Bird — The Dark Eyed Junco RECOMMENDATION: That Council endorse the Dark Eyed Junco as Kitchener's Official Bird, as outlined in the staff report, INS -2025-194. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to receive Council endorsement of the Dark Eyed Junco as the Kitchener City Bird. • The key finding of this report is that in support of Kitchener's Bird Friendly Status, a public voting campaign was successfully completed to select Kitchener's City Bird. • There are no financial implications to the recommendations in this report. • Community engagement included social media posts and a public voting campaign to select a City Bird. • This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. BACKGROUND: At the January 18, 2024, Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) meeting, a member of the committee presented on the `Bird Friendly Cities' Certification Program through Ontario Nature. Following the presentation, a recommendation was put forward by the committee and the committee resolved "That the Climate Change and Environment committee support bringing the exploration of Kitchener becoming a Bird City to council." The request was presented in report DSD -2024-081 at the February 26, 2024, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, and approved "That staff be directed to investigate the benefits and feasibility of Kitchener becoming a `Bird Friendly City' including any resource and budgetary considerations as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -2024- 081." *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 43 of 177 On November 18th, 2024, Nature Canada granted Kitchener Bird Friendly City Certification which was endorsed by council after the request was presented in report DSD -2024-480. In this presentation a public campaign to recognize a citizen- elected City Bird was initiated. REPORT: In November, 2024, to fulfill section 3.7 (page 48) of the Bird Friendly City Application (Attachment A) the following action was initiated: "You must provide proof that a campaign to select a "City Bird" is underway or has been successfully completed, evidence of community engagement, the name of the "City Bird" species, and proof that it is officially the "City Bird" through Council support/recognition." The Bird Friendly Kitchener (BFK) City Bird Vote (Attachment B) described the characteristics of each bird and asked the public to choose from the Killdeer, the Merlin, the Dark -Eyed Junco, and the Chimney Swift. The BFK Poll (Attachment C) shows the votes cast for each bird; a total of 1,265 votes were received. A summary of the polling results is provided in the table below. Bird Total Votes Dark -Eyed Junco 45.1% Merlin 27.1% Chimney Swift 17.5% Killdeer 10.3% With 45.1 % of the vote, the Dark -Eyed Junco is the citizen -elected City Bird. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing &protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate positive choices. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget or Operating Budget. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council/committee meeting. Staff will work with BFK members to promote the Dark -Eyed Junco through a press release. CONSULT — From November 13th, 2024, to December 21 st, 2024, a public campaign to elect a City Bird took place. There were 1,265 responses to the poll. Page 44 of 177 PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • DSD -2024-081 Kitchener becoming Bird Friendly • DSD -2024-480 Becoming a Bird Friendly City and World Migratory Bird Day APPROVED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Bird -Friendly City Application REVISED Attachment B —The Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote Attachment C —The BFK Poll Page 45 of 177 L ON ;1 041:4 L A� ................. CA ............ Y�'�� "I� .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . �A I ........... 0 �11�� I a W� CITY REPRESENTED: DATE OF SUBMISSION: Page 46 of 177 Mandatory Criteria 1 Section 1: Threat Reduction 9 Section 2: Habitat Protection, Restoration, and Climate Resiliency ................................................................................................................................................26 Section3: Community Outreach/Education.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Page 47 of 177 Page 48 of 177 First Name Last Name Organization (if applicable) email address Jennifer Clary -Lemon, University of Waterloo, jclarylemon@uwaterloo.ca (co -Chair) David Gascoigne, Waterloo Region Nature, davidmgascoigne@gmail.com Paul Groleau, Feather Friendly, pgroleau@featherfriendly.com Natasha Barlow, Birds Canada, nbarlow@birdscanada.org Bob Williams, r.j.williams044@gmail.com Roderick Hornby, Waterloo Region Nature (Teens), Roderickhornbyphotography@gmail.com Victoria Lamont ,University of Waterloo, vlamont@uwaterloo.ca Meredith Blunt, Independent Artist, meredith.blunt@gmail.com (co -Chair) Marcel O'Gorman, University of Waterloo Critical Media Lab, marcel@uwaterloo.ca Ethan Gosnell, University of Waterloo (undergrad), egosnell@uwaterloo.ca Yu -Ting Chen, University of Waterloo (grad), yu-ting.chenl@uwaterloo.ca Roger Suffling, U of Waterloo/Waterloo Region Nature, resuffli@uwaterloo.ca Kathy Mortimer, Waterloo Region Nature, kathy.mortimer@speedymail.org Keira McManus, University of Waterloo/ UW -Society for Ecological Restoration, k4mcmanus@uwaterloo.ca Amanda Armstrong University of Waterloo/ UW -Society for Ecological Restoration, am2armst@uwaterloo.ca Istafa Sufi, rare Charitable Research Reserve, istafa.suii@raresites.org Gabriel Evans -Cook, Birds Canada, gevanscook@birdscanada.org Page 49 of 177 The Kitchener Bird Team acts in a consultative manner with both Municipal partners and rare Charitable Research Reserve, both of which have existing contact with local First Nations (we have two Bird Team members that are employed by rare). Local Indigenous groups that they work with include: White Owl Native Ancestry, Crow Shield Lodge, and Wisahtewinowak. Both rare and the municipality also consult with Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation. Because we do not wish to create more labour for First Nations individuals, who often bear high brunt of community service loads such as these, we are relying on our partners as our connection to First Nations. In every initiative, we plan on connecting with First Nations using these existing partnerships. Page 50 of 177 We have presented at the City of Kitchener's Committee on Climate Change and the Environment (CECC), who voted to allow city staff to investigate the feasibility of the City of Kitchener to become a Bird Friendly City (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/news/key-decisions-of-kitchener-council-march-18-2024.aspx). This is the first step in preparing for a council resolution. City staff have been helping research and complete the certification materials as a result. Once the BFC application has been submitted, we will return to the CECC with our certification packet with a request that they support a council resolution (this is currently on the September CCEC agenda), with the intention of getting on the October Council agenda. Thus we should have a Council resolution within the first year of certification. Page 51 of 1774 M-4: ANNUAL REPORT • This criterion will be met upon certification. Page 52 of 177 Although this is not yet needed, we have ongoing activities that celebrate World Migratory Bird day: 1) we have held an event with Princess Cinemas here: https://www.princesscinemas.com/movie/world-migratory-bird-day-purple-haze-waterloo; 2) the City of Kitchener hosted a Tree Planting Event here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tree-planting-for-world-migratory-bird-day-tickets-899315114717? aff=oddtdtcreator. Page 53 of 177 PROGRAM R VISIBILITY 1 We have established a website presence through affiliation with Waterloo Region Nature at www.bfck.waterlooregionnature.ca. The City of Kitchener has agreed to link to this website once we are a certified BFC. We also have a BFC Kitchener Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Bird-Friendly-Kitchener/61560111744082/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/birdfriendlykitchener�, and designated email address (birdfriendlykitchener@gmail.com). Page 54 of 177 -7: RENEWAL We intend to submit a renewal application once certification is granted. Page 55 of 17� Page 56 of 17� r I,I �(I) 0 E D C /!',,,[ S '� t (I R . "r 10 The City of Kitchener has a chapter in its municipal code related to the regulation of animals. Within Article 2 a pair of clauses state, "No owner of an animal shall allow his/ her animal to run at large," and, "An animal shall be deemed to be running at large when it is found not under the effective control of an adult person and not under leash, unless the animal is on the lands of a person who has given prior consent to it being unleashed." Regulations are posted on the City's website (Chapter 408 - Animals - Regulation (kitchener.ca, https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1497603&cr=1). The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth is contracted by the City of Kitchener to provide animal by-law and animal control services (https://kwsphumane.ca/municipal-animal-services), among others, most notably confined stray cat removal. Humane Society officers are municipal law enforcement officers empowered to enforce municipal animal by-laws and may issue offence notices for by-law violations. Page 57 of 177 1 'E D C A(,;; In an effort to control feral and stray cat populations within our community, the Kitchener -Waterloo Humane Society offers the Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) Program. Anyone may bring a trapped cat to the Kitchener centre and pay $45 for sterilization, vaccination, microchip implanting, and ear tipping. Cats are then returned to their trapping location rather than relocated. The Humane Society tracks statistics related to participation in sterilization programs. Annual sterilizations performed at the Kitchener centre (includes cats trapped in adjacent Waterloo) have trended upward as data has been made available. The Kitchen Waterloo Stratford Perth Humane Society and Kitchener's Director of ByLaw services have provided the following information and numbers. 02020-470 02021-466 02022-589 92023-595 The RTF (Return to Field) program is for feral cats that are brought in as strays. If the finder who brought them in is willing to take responsibility for them, KWSPHS will do the same services as TNR and Barn Buddy programs, with the understanding that cats are returned to the environment/neighbourhood from where they came. This caretaker is responsible for ensuring that they are fed (either by them, or by other community members, as these are often what we refer to as "community cats"). KWSPHS provides a Barn Buddy program, which is specifically for found cats and cats already in their care. httnc //lrca cnhnmann r a/harn_hnrlrlv_nrndram Thnncsh thn nrinntnnc aro inr1nnr/niitr1nnr rate nrinntnrc aril Page 58 of 17,7 12 C T A A "r The Kitchen Waterloo Stratford Perth Humane Society and Kitchener's Director of ByLaw services have provided the following information. Humane Society has seen a significant decrease in the number of stray cats coming into the shelter over the past few years. This may be attributed to partnerships with cat rescue groups, fosters and barn buddys, as well as trap, neuter, release programs in Kitchener. The KWSPHS provides the following services to manage roaming cats and mitigating their threat. https://kwsphumane.ca/community-cats-program, including the TNR, Trap rental, and winterized cat shelters. KWSPHS provides an accessible spay -neuter clinic for cat owners facing financial limitations. All surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians. The public, rescue groups and other shelters are welcome, regardless of geography or income. The spay -neuter clinics provide an alternative so people do not feel tempted to improperly use the TNR, which is reserved for feral and farm cats. The City of Kitchener is currently updating their Neighbourhood ByLaw guide document, which is a publicly available (via the website and in physical form at city hall) pamphlet, and includes basic information for the animals at -large bylaws Page 59 of 177 The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual is a guiding document and vision for design. An Urban Design Report, when required to accompany a Development Application will reference applicable guidelines. Per the Design for Wildlife subsection of Section 01.2.3 (Design for Sustainability) of the Urban Design Manual, the first 12 metres from the ground should be designed to prevent bird strikes by limiting the potential for reflection of trees and sky through material choice and detailing. Where glazing is prominent on the first 12 metres of a building, the Urban Design Manual requests consideration of the use of treatments which can be applied to the glass surface, creating visual markers for birds. Further, Section 01.2.3 guides designers to use awnings, canopies, recessions, projections, and other architectural interventions to disrupt the reflection of trees and sky in ground floor windows. Likewise, a subsection entitled Bird Friendly Design under Section 09.3.5 Design for Sustainability within the Site Design for Tall Buildings chapter relays that daytime bird strikes generally occur from ground level to tree top level, while migratory birds are attracted at night to tall structures that are excessively lit. This subsection implores for design of tall buildings to minimize bird collisions with glass by avoiding untreated reflective glass or clear glass that reflects trees and sky. Glass should have visual markers and any reflection should be muted within the first 12 metres of building height and lighting should be located and managed to reduce reflections that may cause confusion for migratory birds. The City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual can be downloaded at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/development-and-construction/urban-design.aspx Page 60 of 17,7 2D C"' 0 S S XI S11I A i ) I)I I) C) SI 1"') IV!11,I�,I(III� �aL I31 J DII 4G '° 14 The City of Kitchener does not currently assess or mitigate risk to birds from existing and proposed municipal buildings. The Bird Friendly City team has begun monitoring window collisions using a customizing reporting tool on the Anecdata platform (BFCK Bird -Window Collision and Building Treatment Survey I Anecdata, https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/1314) that follows the Fatal Light Awareness Program's (FLAP) protocol. Once collected, we will relay data to the Global Bird Collision Mapper to help FLAP better understand where and to what degree collisions occur. Page 61 of 177 . ..... ... . /F R S 1, 2 (C), V"Id" I'l'l"' C C""' S �D ,J "'I PR ( �'' ", Y I J, � 0 C I I l A � S 111�11 � The City of Kitchener does not currently inform/educate property owners and tenants of existing buildings of measures they can take to mitigate bird collision risk. Page 62 of 17,E 11 01l + C r I ,'+ f,,,. 16 The Bird Friendly City team has created a database to establish a baseline of the number of buildings with treated windows following the FLAP's Bird -Friendly Building Survey protocol and using the same platform and customized reporting tool as our window collision data collection (BFCK Bird -Window Collision and Building Treatment Survey I Anecdata, https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/1314). As with collisions, once collected, we will relay data to FLAP and Nature Canada to help them gather data on bird -friendly building designs and retrofits around the world. Page 63 of 177 1_3 3 (A) H T I (� � � I` ;J,. I I � L� t J C F I',,,,D S t �F 1'+ III I' The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual is a guiding document and vision for design. An Urban Design Report, when required to accompany a Development Application will reference applicable guidelines. As noted in the Manual, a wide array of birds and wildlife share our urban environment, and their needs should be appropriately considered when designing for Kitchener so that they may continue to thrive. All site and landscape design should conserve, enhance and promote biodiversity of all forms and at all scales. Per the Design for Wildlife subsection of Section 01.2.3 (Design for Sustainability) of the City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual, all development is to meet a Dark Sky compliant standard by using full cut-off fixtures with no uplighting (UO). A Dark Sky standard improves the well-being, health, and safety of wildlife by reducing light pollution. The Manual requests that designers reduce light pollution from reflections and glare by orienting and placing fixtures in such a way as to project light only on non -reflective surfaces. As migratory birds move through cities at night, this section further requests consideration of automated lighting to reduce unnecessary interior light and lessen migratory bird strikes. Any architectural lighting at the top of buildings is to have an automated timer -shut-off to preserve dark skies. The City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual can be downloaded at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/development-and-construction/urban-design.aspx Page 64 of 17,7 �[ . � �` 3) L L ri T ! I I � I /'�� I � � : � I ? I `I '4 I ��. I ! (H;i � � � I � 18 The City of Kitchener's Development Manual outlines the City's current engineering requirements, guidelines, specifications and standards, which guide the design and construction of public infrastructure. It also outlines the expectations and requirements for obtaining engineering approvals associated with development applications with specific regard to Site Plans and Plans of Subdivision. The City of Kitchener requires the use of full cutoff luminaries that direct no light above the horizontal plane. In conversation with Sandro Bassanese (Sandro.bassanese@kitchener.ca, Site Plan Manager) and Steve Ventros (steve.vrentzos@kitchener.ca, Director of Bylaw), new developments must have a Lighting Plan that adheres to Dark Sky compliant lighting. This site lighting plan becomes part for life of the property through site plan approval in perpetuity. Lights must be installed and approved by both a lighting engineer and a city inspection officer before the letter of credit is returned to the owner of the property. This means that an owner of a property will not receive money put into the project unless compliance is approved at two levels. Per Section H, Streetlighting, streetlighting design within the City of Kitchener is completed by Kitchener -Wilmot Hydro with the exception of Ornamental Streetlighting Design. The specifications for standard streetlighting equipment for the City of Kitchener include Leotek Electronics' GreenCobra Junior Series part numbers: GCJO-I5H-MV-WW-2R-GY-700-PCR7-CR, GCJ1-20H-MV-WW-2R-GY-580-PCR7-CR or approved equivalent (see https:Hleotek.com/wp-content/uploads/GCJ_H-Series_Specification-Sheet_ 10-17-22-Updated-1.pdO ; where WW stands for 3000K colour temperature. The GreenCobra Junior series are downward facing, diialdad T FT) lialhtinct' nrnrim-tc (cna httnc•//lnntalz rnm/araanrnhrn/arl/) Page 65 of 177 BFC Kitchener has developed a public website with information regarding light pollution and bird health at https:Hbfck.waterlooregionnature.ca/help-kitcheners-birds/. This is an educational webpage available to anyone who searches for light pollution and the city of Kitchener. The BFC Kitchener webpage made front-page news October 11, 2024 in the waterloo Region Record (https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/contest-to-name-kitchener-s-official-bird-takes-flight/a rticle_4d6aaf61-ea85-5bca-8f01-8166ac5aed4£html) and is a first point of public outreach for BFC Kitchener. This website contains: *a 2023 light pollution map of the Kitchener area *a simple graphic from FLAP Canada that explains how light pollution affects birds and a graphic of street light options with varying levels of light pollution *an explanation of how light pollution affects migrating birds *a list of 7 actions that citizens can take to help stop light pollution *a link to Dark Sky International, a recognized worldwide authority on light pollution Page 66 of 171 L� �. C' I �f �. f .. ��� ('�h,. ,1 . 20 Per the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes in Ontario on lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, and in parks and school yards. There are no exceptions for pest infestations (insects, fungi or weeds) in these areas, as lower risk pesticides, biopesticides and alternatives to pesticides exist. More than 250 pesticide products are banned for sale and over 95 pesticide ingredients are banned for cosmetic uses. While cemeteries are listed as an excepted entity to allow the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes as of the effective date of amending regulation 134/20, the City of Kitchener was quoted in a 2020 City of Hamilton staff report that pesticides for general turf maintenance in cemeteries were not recommended per the City's Integrated Pest Management program. The Natural Areas Project Manager with the City's Parks & Cemeteries Department subsequently relayed that Kitchener does not use herbicides for cosmetic purposes. They selectively employ land management and restoration techniques that include the application of herbicides when supporting the management and eradication of aggressive and harmful invasive species such as Giant Hogweed and Buckthorn, which requires permission from exemption to the Ontario Pesticide Act. Page 67 of 177 The City of Kitchener does not currently have a chapter in municipal code that specifically bans the sale and/or use of neonicotinoid insecticides, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or chemical rodent control. Page 68 of 1727 22 1`1',I III The Community Clean-up Program, coordinated through the City of Kitchener's LoveMyHood program encourages neighbours to come together for a common cause — removing litter from our parks, trails, and open spaces (https://www.lovemyhood.ca/en/cool-ideas/community-clean-ups.aspx). Groups may register their community clean-up and the City of Kitchener will provide free supplies, including gloves and garbage bags available for pick up at one of 14 community centres. After the clean-up event, groups may call the City to request pick up of bagged litter. Waterloo Region Nature, of which Bird Friendly City Kitchener is a member organization, has conducted numerous Earth Day -themed clean up efforts in the City. Examples include action in the Laurentian Wetlands (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/2023/04/16/laurentian-wetland- cleanup- 2023/) as well as along the Iron Horse Trail and in several other local parks in partnership with EPAM Systems Canada. REEP Green Solutions hosts a yearly "Zero Waste Challenge" in which residents commit to 7, 14, or 30 days of fitting all of their single -use waste in a mason jar. This encourages citizens to reduce plastic waste and learn about their consumption habits (https://reepgreen.ca/zwc�. The City of Kitchener is committed to reducing plastic waste through recycling programs, as well as adhering to the current federal ban on single -use plastics (see https://kitchener. ctvnews.ca/k-w-businesses- adapting -as -single -use -plastic -bans -take- effect- 1. 62 02 477; https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/ban-on-single-use-plastics-has-started-with-no-visible-b enefits-yet/article-7622f747-cc55-56cc-b561-64a53b676aad.html). Currently the following plastics recycling is in nla�n fnr �nrrnnt nlaetire in rirrnlatinn• Page 69 of 177 Kitchener is a leader in reducing the number of vehicle trips taken versus active transportation modes such as walking, cycling, and public transportation. Designated a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (see https://sharetheroad.ca/current-bfc-award-winners/), Kitchener's Cycling and Trails Master Plan was approved in 2020 and has since won awards (see https://kitchener. citynews. ca/2021 /07/06/kitcheners-cyclingtrails-master-plan-wins-planning-award-393 36 97/) for its community-based approach to active transportation and trail planning. The Cycling and Trails Master Plan focuses on creating a city-wide network of cycling routes and trails that is comfortable for people of All Ages and Abilities. From 2017 to 2022, the largest increase in mobility infrastructure has been the active transportation and trails network (https://pub-kitchener.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?Documentld=12959). Sidewalks and walkways increased by 55 kilometres, multi -use trails by 25 km, roadway parallel multi -use paths by 41 km, and protected bike lanes by 12 km. The downtown cycling grid, comprised of protected bicycle lanes, has transformed how people move around by making it safe, comfortable and convenient to bike. The network connects to popular trails like the Iron Horse Trail, Spur Line Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. Its development grid has resulted in a 164 percent increase in ridership (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/roads-and-cycling/bike-infrastructure.aspx), with 54,781 cycling trips in the first seven months of 2023. Recently upgraded trails include the Henry Sturm Trail, Wilson Park Trail, Traynor Trail, and Shoemaker Greenway Trail. The new Cherry Park Trail connects the Iron Horse Trail with the future regional central transit hub (and current light rail station). The Iron Horse Trail continues to grow in use, with an average of 2,894 daily users in June 2023, compared to 819 in June 2016, an increase of 270 percent. On the busiest day in June 2023, there were 4,923 people walking, rolling and cycling at the thran rnnntor lni-atinnc Page 70 of 1727 [ I T Ul',I ",,,ItC.l `_;/ + I I i Kitchener municipal code prohibits owners from allowing animals to run at large, defined as found not under the effective control of an adult person and not under leash, unless the animal is on the lands of a person who has given prior consent to it being unleashed (Chapter 408 - Animals - Regulation (kitchener.ca), https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1497603&cr=1). A separate section of municipal code specifically extends these restrictions to dogs and defines a maximum leash length of 2.4 metres (Chapter 421 - Dog - Responsible Ownership (kitchener.ca), https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=2024521 &page=l &cr=1). The City of Kitchener's Official Plan (Section 7.C.2; see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_PLAN_City_of Kitchener_Official_Plan_ 2014.pdo establishes policies for protection of its Natural Heritage System, currently comprised of 7,087 hectares of natural heritage features that maintain local and regional biological, hydrological, ecological and geological diversity and functions, support viable populations of indigenous species, and sustain local ecosystems. Policies within the Official Plan pertaining to the Natural Heritage System are intended to maintain, restore, or improve the diversity, connectivity, and ecological functions of the city's natural heritage features. Land uses and activities that do not achieve these ends to the satisfaction of the City, Region, Grand River Conservation Authority, and/or Province will be prohibited or generally not supported, as appropriate. Per the Official Plan, the City will, in conjunction with other interested groups and agencies, seek opportunities to acquire, manage and maintain Significant Wildlife Habitat areas. The City also commits to continued identification of ecological restoration areas through technical study, private land stewardship, and conservation/restoration/land securement programs of public agencies. Supporting policies within the Official Plan include Watershed Planning and the protection of associated ecological fiinrtinnc 24 Page 71 of 177 ENTRY 10 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 13 points from at least 5 categories including at least 2 categories worth 3 or more. HIGH 16 points or more. Must include at least 3 points in categories 1 and 2. Must have no roam bylaw (cats), and bird friendly building guidelines for high level. Page 72 of 17zzs 26 Page 73 of 177 .1 I ... U II A RIf;;;;.A S f1 R 0...FI C... 11 I 11 IOW CRI TIERIIA IIS MIE...T As of April 12, 2022, Ontario Nature and the City of Kitchener were pleased to announce that 20 properties (585 hectares) in Kitchener's Natural Heritage System qualified as protected areas, contributing to Canada's target to conserve 25 percent of lands and waters by 2025 (see https://ontarionature.org/news-release/kitchener-protected-areas/). These sites are among the first municipal conservation lands in Ontario confirmed to be managed to the national standards for protected and conserved areas. Qualified protected areas in Kitchener include: Borden Wetland Briarfield Park Homer Watson Park Huron Natural Area Idlewood Park Lackner Woods Lakeside Park Laurentian Wetland Springmount Park-Idlewood Creek Steckle Woods Tilt's Bush Topper Woods Brigadoon Woods Carisbrook Drive Natural Area T)nnn Cniith Crnnle Page 74 of 1727 22 11101...0GICA11.... DII If;;;.I II...FY The City of Kitchener has a Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_PARKS_Urban_Forest_Strategy.pdf ). This Plan has five goal areas: 1) PLAN first: the cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient urban forest; 2) ENGAGE often and widely: building critical community support, collaboration and stewardship; 3) MAINTAIN proactively: increasing health, longevity and resiliency; 4) PROTECT prudently: maintaining and maximizing what we already have; 5) PLANT correctly and deliberately: ensuring future generations have a vibrant and resilient tree canopy. Metrics regarding this Strategy are ongoing. You can see an example of Kitchener's Sustainable Urban Forest Report Card, which examines 28 targets from a prior forestry program that map on to the Sustainable Urban Forestry Strategy, here: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_PARKS_Sustainable_Urban_Forest_Repor t_Card.pdf 28 Page 75 of 177 IHOW CRII f If;;;: R II IIS Mll::.::.::, F The City of Kitchener has a municipal Committee on Climate Change and the Environment (previously the "Environmental Committee"; see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/advisory-committees-and-boards.aspx#Clima te- change -and -environment- committee) , which advocates positions that reduce the municipality's climate impact and forwards those positions to City Council. The City also maintains a Corporate Climate Action Plan for all municipally -owned property ( see https://www.kitchener. ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_Kitcheners_Corporate_Climate_Action_P lan.pdf ). This Action plan is developing a regional flood plan in collaboration with the Grand River Conservation Authority; expanding existing Stormwater management plans (inclusive of habitat expansion and increased credits in the Habitat Bank with the Idlewood Creek Restoration Project; see https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/canada-projects/i/idlewood-creek-dam-removal); advocating for tree preservation that considers future climate conditions, and for increasing "tree shade in urban areas and positioned to help mitigate flooding, wind and heat in open spaces and grounds of facilities." As mentioned in section 2.1, the City is currently restoring Strasberg Creek (https://www.engagewr.ca/northstrasburgcreek), and Schneider, and Shoemaker Creeks (https://www.engagewr.ca/schneidercreckea). They are also upgrading Cherry Park stormwater features (https://www.engagewr.ca/cherrypark). Prior wetland restoration projects include Filsinger Park (https://www.fivessr.com/portfolio/fish-habitat-bank-city-of-kitchener-on) and Balzer Creek. The City of Kitchener's tree planting programs depend on the urban Tree Canopy Report, which includes haat iclanil manning ac an indirntnr of city calartinn (caa nnaoc _R of '• . • completion by Nature Canada) Page 76 of 1727 ii,,,,,,i it ii....�ii,,,,, ire i1 IS ii,,,.....r 30 Based on the City of Kitchener's Urban Forest Strategy, in January 2022, city council approved a tree canopy target of 30% in each ward by 2050 and a target of 33% across Kitchener by 2070. This targeted approach to growing the tree canopy over time will involve new tree planting, as well as increasing the maintenance of existing trees. (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/strategic-plans-and-projects/urban-forest-strategy.aspx) The City of Kitchener maintains an urban forest map that tracks upcoming and ongoing forestry work around the city. This includes a street tree inventory (see https://open-kitchenergis.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/tree-inventory/explore?location=43.436669% 2C -80.470356%2C13.00), as well as an ongoing community-based consultation for determining increases and tree canopy targets for specific neighbourhoods (https://www.engagewr.ca/treecanopytarget). One such outcome of this consultation and collected inventory data is increasing community tree canopy in the Chandler Mowat neighbourhood (see https://www.engagewr.ca/CommunityCanopyChandler). Page 77 of 177 2A (II3) SINAG IDIRO F If;;;;; C F 11 l IHOW CIR11 FII::.::.: II IIS II:::::. F While a number of Environmental Impact Assessments for development of sites within Kitchener city limits do address the existence of snags, particularly as they relate to maintaining healthy habitat for Species at Risk, the city of Kitchener has no official policy statement regarding snags or snag protection. Page 78 of 1737 ,. () I13I1:: 0 FIEC F1101IN OF F1R11::.::..'1ES 11 1OW C I II ,,,,r II:::::: II IIS mii::.::: ,,,,r As shown in the following table, the City of Kitchener has bylaws set in place for the protection and maintenance of trees on city property. Trees on private property are also protected from being cutdown without permits. The Director of Enforcement is responsible for overseeing enforcement by delegates through inspections made by entering the property at any reasonable time and persons or corporations found to violate Chapter 692 is liable to a fine. bylaw Prot -Aland Uuotm rilfantUPY ..Gd.............Idy upkee.......... MAY prop upkeep •."rhe D.l...ada mel ag..holm@rs alothor eurnaf..aod ru..eetud.lo do all acts nrarmtlsery to.... p Y g Y CiC a9 Ke otiontlr � aws Mmi el Code ''.... Y ( p Y amnd rnadn�ananc'a of n provide for lhwm Wanting, care raw aanainlarrar5ca of sll trees on City property.' SaCCion '1©. properly Mridrtaararrca I ty trees. Chapter 690'Irmas bylaw Aniola 2.2 '..... pratectlon agva"M No Peru- nest City of Ktch rete 90— (lobo kolpal Code) darnayasof hoes. by a) daiacm. out, pollard, brrjuha, sau+xa cnrtnpach- to or othatw'a;a darnaga or S�artion ICI. property Maintan-re CIWUIiams or consM dw, dl,Wr y and free or part thereo;. C%pttlr 6M rheas Hyla. on City pratol rt'y. b) damage, destroy or eammvm any supporl0ng post, atak. or ward ottaahred to or aroand a he.: or, cy cul dawn, roof up ar rart— any tram or part thereof, whother fiving or oe"'" Ankle 3.1 "Awry contractor, oorrmisslon or caaporat'for or any other organization, parson w hddvldwal, having a Contract for paviny strm&t ,. cdnsnuculng sl—bos or oxcauatirdg or dung any work on City pr'oper'ty, shall whorl axacuaatg srch wont. or cone.et take, ell mecdssary sfdps to —od imquldog any fire.... " Article 4.1 Proleshon against ham "Injury to hoofs-prohainted-without permit" City of Kitchener 90aws (Munoo'ilpal Cade) do,'I caarn on p.bho Section 'le. Property IMaintananCa Property without s Artid. 2.2.1 Chaptlr 6f12�'ares-Protsodoo-D.r,ouctio- permit. Id,ory "Slo-ilk E.—rrliomm Hand less an 't role O"ad-disaasad-hazardous trees -calif l d Oamaryed-daattayad lmoas car fiord T— within 9 metras of oseopind ba hg 'trail-wNRilm 1,1dling mhad p.-p.rorol ia�sued Small troac'" .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Arnot, 4.146 Entower of for '1nspa lkr-erda'y upon 6aet f at any reasonabda Limen' City of Kllfienar 90aws (Murkipal Cafe) prWootian altrose art Semtior 10 Properly Mrinaaoaercm pnv'mte prapeny Ankle 13.2 Chopttlr 692-Croda-Protoctlor-13.0 ctia- slow,: Ippury ay Ilsp-ti-s "Fine -gar oonttsoont'�er-pareon" b) fines Article 141 32 Page 79 of 177 2.401 F IE S 11:10 IN S 11 113 II,,,,. IE VIlf;;;;G IE Tall IN II I If;;; I r IHOW C I II f If;;; I II IIS If;;;;; F The City of Kitchener follows "Good Forestry Practices" by restricting the removal of vegetation when the Director deems the damage would have a significant impact on the health of the vegetation community or on wildlife habitat at the site or/and in proximity to the site (Bylaw Trees Protection Destruction Injury 692.8.3). Mitigation strategies include conditions on permits which can control the method and timing of the damage to trees which can take into account nesting period for breeding birds (Bylaw Trees Protection Destruction Injury 692.9.1). The Tree Management Policy of the City of Kitchener greatly recommends tree removal and pruning completed during the winter months (Tree Management Policy- Appendix J) https://www.kitchener.ca/en/bylaws-and-enforcement/municipal-code.aspx#6-Facility https://www.kitchener.ca/enlresourcesGenerallDocuments/INS_OPS_Treemanagementpolicy.pdf The City of Kitchener conducts an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for proposed development in or in proximity to a significant natural area or feature. Early consultation is in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Endangered Species Act which use breeding bird surveys to determine presence and requires stoppage or/and mitigation strategies for protected bird species during breeding and nesting periods. https://www.kitchener.ca/en/water-and-environment/environmental-impact-study.aspx Page 80 of 1737 2.5 II M I1:3 0 F FAIN F I[3 II D AIRIEA I I If II: (IIIBA) II,,,,,,i c II II ..r If;;;;; IIS II IIS mii::.::;; r There are no IBAs in the region. However, some Locally Significant Wetlands and Woodlands were assessed by the city in 2014. No development is permitted in these areas. Please see page 24 and 32-33 of https://www. kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_PLAN_Natural_Heritage_Systems_Backg round_Report.pdf 34 Page 81 of 177 2.6 INA r II I I1:::`1 0 11:1 A M U IN II C II IFIA II,,,,. II,,,,,,A IN II: IHOW CRII F If;;; II IIS U If;;;;; F Kitchener promotes site -appropriate native flora in buffers, parks, and stormwater projects. The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual (3.0) states in its "Landscaping and Site Furnishing Zone Guidelines": #13, "Resilient and native tree species that are able to withstand an urban setting with minimal maintenance are preferred." The Urban Design Manual 15.0 further states "The planting of aggressive non-native species within or adjacent to woodlands or natural areas is discouraged in order to help safeguard the long term ecological integrity of these areas." Section 14 of the Urban Design Manual contains a list of trees and shrubs native to the Waterloo Region and a list of aggressive alien species which are not to be planted in the vicinity of woodlands and natural areas. In their "Design for Climate Change" section, the Urban Design Manual states, "Introduce green infrastructure along existing and new public open spaces including; bioswales, groundwater infiltration areas and permeable surface treatments; native planting species which enhance urban wildlife habitats; energy efficient, human -scaled and wildlife friendly lighting fixtures and; locally sourced, recycled and reusable materials." The Urban Design Manual promotes the planting and maintenance of both native and non-native trees in subdivisions; however, section M.2.10 "Species Diversity" states that "no one genus can exceed 20% of the total planted trees" (157) in new subdivisions. You can view links to these statements here: Page 82 of 173 ..7 INATIVIE II.....0 11:1 A P R 11 VAT ..... IP 11:10FI IE IR FY II......i If II IISIi::.:: r 36 The city of Kitchener is officially a Bee City, committed to protecting pollinators across our community. Pollinated plants provide a third of our food, and by planting native plants throughout Kitchener in pollinator gardens, we can support our bee population that in turn support us. Please see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/water-and-environment/pollinators.aspx The City of Kitchener also partners with Reep Green Solutions, supporting their Backyard Tree Planting Program (https://reepgreen.ca/trees/), and Rain Smart Neighbourhoods program (https://reepgreen.ca/rain-smart/). Page 83 of 177 2.8S ,,,F P OV I[;R & IN IE S FIIING II,,,,,,1A11:311 ,,,FAT II,,,,,,1 OW CIR 11 TIERIIA IIS MIE,,,T 1. At Sprucehaven, a family-owned farm has been consistently taking fields out of production and committing themselves to various stewardship initiatives for bird species at risk. They provide 25 Eastern bluebird and tree swallow boxes; have dedicated their barn completely to barn and cliff swallows; they've converted 42 acres of soybean crop to native tall -grass prairie that has been now home to Vesper sparrows and Savannah sparrows, and have had initial scouting activities by Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. They've allowed public and educational outreach on their property, including field ecology classes for regional universities and K-12 education, and work with local naturalist groups. Email owner Dave Westfall, owner, at djwestfall@hotmail.com for more information. 2. At Handy Dog farm, owner Victoria Lamont has practiced sustainable haying practices on her hayfields, cordoning off selections of fields to allow for bobolinks to nest. Email Victoria Lamont <vlamont@uwaterloo.ca> for more details. 3. Adjacent to Sprucehaven, Jeff Grant and Peter Bissett have installed a bluebird trail on private property with approximately 10 bluebird boxes. Email jeffgrantl3@gmail.com for more details. 4. At rare Charitable Research Reserve, two barn swallow structures have been set up as alternative nesting habitats for the birds. The also host an interactive educational swallow structure on their property. Page 84 of 1737 ENTRY 9 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 12 points from at least 4 categories. HIGH 15 points from at least 6 categories including at least 1 point from categories 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4. 38 Page 85 of 177 Page 86 of 173 .`III " Ilh III IIL...III III III'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.IItt l A Sl III[: ......Ilh....11l III II.)U( .IIL III GII11 Ilh 111" M � III: ...... III; III:: III... Kitchener has a variety of organizations and school programs with nature and bird -focused outreach, which are detailed below. 1) Waterloo Region Nature: *Teens Club: https://waterlooregionnature.ca/teens/ WRN Teens is a club sponsored by Waterloo Region Nature to encourage kids ages 13+ to learn about the environment while helping it. The club currently engages in weekly Saturday morning monitoring from April to October at a farm just outside of Waterloo. We do about 20 weeks of monitoring salamanders, tree frogs, snakes and nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds, 2 hours each time, all of which qualify as high school volunteer hours. Through involvement in these monitoring efforts, teens learn scientific procedures for data collection while learning more about the species they are monitoring. The club is also involve in Saturday afternoon work projects or learning projects once or twice a month at a various locations. In the past year, Teens projects involving birds included an owl prowl, 2 birding outings, the Christmas Bird Count for Kids (sponsored by rare Charitable Reserve Reserve), several invasive plant removals to improve habitats, and about 16 weeks of nest box monitoring. *Kids Club: https://waterlooregionnature.ca/kids/ WRN Kids is a club sponsored by Waterloo Region Nature to encourage kids ages 7-12 to enjoy nature. During the 2022-2023 season WRN Kids went on a butterfly hike, a nature scavenger hunt, a birding hike, and an archaeology hike which included a demonstration of how to knap stone tools. WRN Kids participated in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, went on an owl prowl, hand -fed Chickadees and built chaltarc Cnrinct hrnna'ht a nraclatnr_nray mama aarth clay ctarhaa'a rlaannn and n nnnrl ctnrly --------------------------------------------------------------- '• . • (for completionby Nature Canada) 40 Page 87 of 177 '11] 03) (" Ilh 111 III IIL... III : III III''''''''' IIIA I III:: U ...... Ilh....11l III' III III III .III Ilh 111ow C IR III I 13 111 A III S MIII I... Ontario Nature Youth Circle for Mother Earth (https://ontarionature.org/programs/nature-guardians/ycme� The Youth Circle for Mother Earth project aims to create and support a cross cultural network of young Indigenous and non -Indigenous environmental leaders looking to honour their responsibilities and relationship with Mother Earth. The project is led by the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University, Plenty Canada, Walpole Island Land Trust, and Ontario Nature. rare Every Child Outdoors (ECO) program ECO camps subsidize underpriviledged youth/families to be able to attend camp, sometimes these youth are from marginalized or racialized families. ECO Camps feature bird specific programming, bird watching and bird specific presentations from researchers at rare or community organizations (e.g. Eastern logger -head shrike presentation by Helmi Hess from Wildlife Preservation Canada, raptor specific presentations from Wild Ontario). The rare Charitable Research Reserve provides transportation and program subsidies to many schools across Kitchener (or Waterloo Region as a whole), including 6 visits each from alternative education programs from the WRDSB like U -Turn Cambridge, U -Turn Waterloo, New Dawn, Elev8 etc. Many of the programs youth from these programs attend includes specific bird related programs (One station in Animals in Motion program (KG -Gr 2), many guided hikes feature bird education on ospreys, bald eagles and other birds). Page 88 of 1747 . 01 cIlh 111 III IIL III III III . II'i' III YO U...U(` ...... Ilh 111ow C IR III I 13 111 A III S MIII I... Waterloo Region District Schoolboard (WRDSB) hosts virtual activities for Winter Bird Count and Backyard Bird count for WRDSB students. They provide tutorials on e -bird and identifying key birdspecies in Kitchener. The Winter Bird Count is hosted in December to Janurary (see https:Hschools.wrdsb.ca/environmental-education/citizen-science/winter-bird-counts. The Backyard Bird count is a five day event and open to all ages of students in April. The WRDSB has outdoor and environmental education centers. This includes the Huron Natural Area, Blair Outdoor Education Center, Laurel Creek Outdoor Education Centre, and Wrigley Corners. Please refer to the following table for more detailed information. Huron Natural Blair laurel Creek Area r Growth and • Winter Birds: r Winter Birds: Change in Habitats and Habitat and Animals (Gr. Communities Communities 2) (Gr. 4) (Gr. 4) r nature hikes • students • students looking for learn about loam about animals birds, birds, including habitats, habitats, birds structural structural adaptations adaptations during a hike during a hike 42 Page 89 of 177 IIL IIL III III''''''''' IIIA III:: IIIA III III III:% III ...... '::: III: Ilh 111ow CRIIIIII'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Ilf III A III S M The University of Waterloo Society for Ecological Restoration has a bird -window collision monitoring volunteer program that surveys the campus for bird -window collisions. These surveys contribute to bird collision mortality data collection. In April 2024 a glass walkway between Student Life Centre and Math and Computing building was retrofitted with bird -safe window markers. There are plans to continue mitigating risks to birds on campus and updating the building code standards. UW -SER also hosts birding hikes on and off campus. (Supporting material: instagram @seruwaterloo) In addition, the University of Waterloo Animal Rights Society displayed posters on preventing bird -window collisions on the 2023 Clubs Day. The University of Waterloo Sustainability Office also hosted a BioBlitz and led a guided bird walk on May 6, 2024. The University of Waterloo currently convenes a "Bird Friendly Campus" group, consisting of members from the University's Office of Sustainability, Birds Canada, the Department of Biology, the Faculty of Environment, and the co-chair of the BFC Kitchener Bird Team. They seek to make safer bird spaces on campus, and are currently working with Birds Canada on a campus native plant garden space to attract aerial insecrtivores. Contact Jennifer Clary -Lemon j clarylemon@uwaterloo. ca or Trevor M. Swerdfager trevor.swerdfager@uwaterloo.ca for more information. Page 90 of 1747 �w � w: � � IIIN III ... ...I... I III 1 ::� IIL.. III; : ... III IIIR w .. .':p� .: � �� � w ... � I.. w: III; ...I... Ilh 11DW "III III III; III °III I5111 WI; I... The City of Kitchener offers Bee City Events that coordinate with bird -friendly events: see https:Hbeecitycanada.org/celebrating-bee-cities-kitchener-and-waterloo/ The rare Charitable Research Reserve also engages bird monitoring surveys for the Eramosa Corridor to capture data on bird migration during the spring and fall months. In the spring, this started April 5th for 6 weekends until June 23rd . In the fall, this will begin on August 16 and go until November 3rd. This is a volunteer driven research network with all data contributed to eBird. You can find record of this event here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raresites_nationalvolunteerweek-activity-7186045789381496832-zmSQ/ 44 Page 91 of 177 4" III:° III IIL III :: III II j SL..I IIL IIL... ..tq SIII::: III: III; III:° .. :: ...I...III 0 II°' Ilh 11DW 0l I III ...IIL..' III'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Ilf III A III S MIII III A public art installation titled Hirondelusia (https://cafka21.cafka.org/critical-media-lab; see also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB-U7ujTCI8 for a description of installation piece) was "retired" to rare charitable eco reserve, where it is now an educational structure to inform the public about barn swallow mitigative habitats (see https://drive.google.com/f"ile/d/lSPODQmDsnBOSjlDgZGzVawnT91H11XAQ/view? usp=drive link for a picture of its new home). Two members of the bird team are working on bringing a swallow conservationist to the region to showcase her work with creating clay cliff swallow nests as a public art intervention. You can read the email trail for this conversation, which will result in a public art installation at the Clay and Glass Gallery in 2025, here: https:Hdrive.google.com/file/d/ 1 n3VIGNyMx-SDdHzXtJp5cYewd2NsUS9O/view?usp=drive link) Finally, you can observe bird -related art in a variety of municipal natural areas. You can view examples here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 QaAFm_UIE5Ed4pm-kiCXgpMmr7NLJEA6/view?usp=drive link Page 92 of 174 3.5 .... Ilh: m.. IIL ��.... ....." °. III III: IIL........ III; III:�� III III: III:::.... �' ����� '':::' ���� �° .. .... L.""'� III � � m L.., � �� �... „�. III � �m Ilh 111ow CIII:° III IIL III; III:° IIIA III S MIII; IIL Huron Natural Area, free parking off Trillium Dr. GRT route #28 stops at the park entrance. Public washrooms are available. Trails are a mix of asphalt, stone dust and natural surface. Trails are well marked and colour-coded for easy navigation. One ground level viewing platform and two wooden boardwalks. A huge number of bird -species can be spotted at HNA. It is one of the most popular birding spots in the city and voted Waterloo Region Nature's top greenspace in the region. Willow River (Victoria) Park in downtown Kitchener. Accessible for pedestrians, biking and by public transit (routes #1, 20 and 204). Free parking is available off Jubilee St in two locations and one off Schneider Ave. Public washrooms are available. The park's trails are asphalt and wide; they connect to the Iron Horse/TransCanada Trail. Otis and Ophelia, the city's mascot mute swan pair, live at the park seasonally. Birds spotted in the park range from common waterfowl to pileated woodpeckers and migrating warblers. Lakeside Park is an urban greenspace in Kitchener. It is within a reasonable (under —2km) walking distance of many neighbourhoods and accessible by several transit routes. Paved paths facilitate wheelchair travel. It is connected to many water and greenway corridors throughout the city. The Kitchener section of the Walter Bean Trail goes from Blair Road to Kiwanis Park. The trail continues South into Cambridge and North through Waterloo. The trail mainly follows along the Grand River and, except for a few sections, is very accessible. The trail crosses the river, with the southernmost section being on the east side, the northern sections being located on the west side of the river. The trail runs through Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and Kitrhnnor is nrniid that mnra than 9Kkm B.L. the City from nnrth to cniith n1nna the C -rand River Mnct of 46 Page 93 of 177 IIL... IIL III III III: IIC III III III III; III° III ° IIL... III U ' III IVB III; S SIII; Ilh 111(w)w CIII III ...111..111; III IIIA III S M The following is a list of bird -friendly businesses, inclusive of their websites and activities: Princess Cinemas, https://princesscinemas.com/ Hosted showing of "Purple Haze" (purple martin documentary) for World Migratory Bird Day TWB Brewing https://www.twbbrewing.com/ Hosts Bird -Bingo nights and has offered to sponsor a "City Bird" beer upon BFC Certification Wild Birds Unlimited https://www.facebook.com/WBUKitchener/ Marketing bird feed and other bird -related products in Kitchener Ontario Seed Company https://www.oscseeds.com/contact/ Processing and marketing bird seed and feeder for many years. Plant in Kitchener, shop in Waterloo Ontario Die International https://www.ontariodie.com/contact-us/ A manufacturing company with natural landscaping on site Allied Real Estate Investment Trust https://alliedreit.com/properties/195-joseph-street/ Allierl's rnimoers at 195 Insenh St Kitrhener wnrked to restnre an inrinstrial stark When the danaer of the Page 94 of 1747 III...IIL.. ' III3IIIIII:'III:��� Ilh 111 '"D 311 III; 111 111A III S MIII I... We are in the process of selecting a city bird (see October 11, 2024 https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/contest-to-name-kitchener-s-official-bird-takes-flight/ar ticle_4d6aaf61-ea85-5bca-8f01-8166ac5aed4£html). The election of a City Bird will be a public vote shared through our social media platforms. We have been in touch with TWB Brewing, who has offered to create and promote a "City Bird" beer with Kitchener's elected bird, once the initiative has passed Council. 48 Page 95 of 177 ......III '���:��:�� III III:�� ...... ������ III:��1 Y ���� III II� 1...0 M 0 B III10 0 III�:!�I [�3 III I!I IE S Ilh 111 "III 't III ...111..1; III III A III S M The municipality engages in local programs through Waterloo Region nature and rare Charitable Reserve such as the Christmas Bird Count (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/event/christmas-bird-count-2023-kitchener/), Great Backyard Bird Count (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/2020/02/19/great-backyard-bird-count-2020/), Bioblitz (https://ontarionature.org/event/rare-2024-bioblitz/; https://waterlooregionnature.ca/event/sprucehaven-nature-inventory-blitz-8/), Swiftwatch, Outings to which the public is welcome. (see rare's newsletter at https://myemail-api.constantcontact.com/rare-eNews-for-Early-April.html?) Page 96 of 1747 III l III" � ALL LEVELS MUST DO 3.1 ENTRY 7 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 9 points from at least 5 categories. HIGH 11 points from at least 7 categories. so Page 97 of 177 CURRENT AS OF: September 4, 2024 Current as of July 2024 1. Jennifer Clary -Lemon, University of Waterloo, jclarylemon@uwaterloo.ca 2. David Gascoigne, Waterloo Region Nature, davidmgascoigne@gmail.com 3. Paul Groleau, Feather Friendly, pgroleau@featherfriendly.com 4. Natasha Barlow, Birds Canada, nbarlow@birdscanada.org 5. Bob Williams, r j.williams0440gmail.com 6. Roderick Hornby, Waterloo Region Nature (Teens), roderickhornbyphotography@gmail.com 7. Victoria Lamont, University of Waterloo, vlamont@uwaterloo.ca 8. Meredith Blunt, Independent Artist meredith@birdnerd.art or meredith.blunt@gmail.com 9. Marcel O'Gorman, University of Waterloo Critical Media Lab, marcel@uwaterloo.ca 10. Ethan Gosnell, University of Waterloo(undergrad),egosnell@uwaterloo.ca 11. Yu -Ting Chen, University of Waterloo, yu-ting.chen 1 @uwaterloo.ca 12. Roger Suffling , U of Waterloo/Waterloo Region Nature, resuffli@uwaterloo.ca 13. Kathy Mortimer, Waterloo Region Nature, kathy.mortimer@speedymail.org 14. Keira McManus, University of Waterloo/ UW -SER, k4mcmanus@uwaterloo.ca 15. Amanda Armstrong, University of Waterloo/ UW -SER, am2armst@uwaterloo.ca 16. Istafa Sufi, rare Charitable Research Reserve, istafa.sufi@raresites.org 17. Gabriel Evans -Cook, Birds Canada, gevanscook@birdscanada.org Page 98 of 1757 I w Page 99 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM WELCOME TO THE BIRD FRIENDLY KITCHENER CITY BIRD VOTE! Pick your favourite from the Killdeer, the Merlin, the Dark -Eyed Junco and the Chimney Swift and help us elect Kitchener's city bird! Read through the profiles of our city bird candidates including images provided by wonderful local photographers. Then make your selection at the bottom of the page. Thank you for participating! Email * Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus Adaptable and noisy, the Killdeer is a member of the plover family that has become as at home in urban centres as they are in farmland and wetlands. With a flair for the dramatic, Killdeer always let us know they nearby calling their own name enthusiastically. https://docs.googIe.com/forms/d/1419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 1 of 7 Page 100 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Killdeer - Photograph by David Gascoigne 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Merlin - Falco columbarius A powerful, compact falcon. It's rapid chatter -like call and fast, patrolling flights have become familiar acros many cities and towns as the awesome little falcon has recovered from declining numbers once we banned DDT use in pesticides. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 2 of 7 Page 101 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Merlin - Photograph by Michelle Labadie Lang 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Dark -Eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis Dark -Eyed Junco - A cheery little sparrow and common visitor in backyards and parks across Kitchener throe the long winter months. Juncos brightly flash the white on their outer tail feathers in zippy, energetic flight. They chirp away so that it seems they have lots to say and think about. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 3 of 7 Page 102 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Dark Eyed Junco - Photograph by Carl Leisegang 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica A wonderful aerial insectivore, Kitchener has chimney swifts flying through the city skies taking thousands c biting insects out of the air for their meals. Now a threatened species, restoring chimney swift numbers and habitats is an important project across the province and country. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 4 of 7 Page 103 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Chimney Swift - Photograph of Chimney Swift in flight by Ev Danis. Inset photograph by George K. Peck for ontario.ca 2. Time to vote!! You can pick only one! Mark only one oval. �. Killdeer Merlin Dark -Eyed Junco Chimney Swift https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 5 of 7 Page 104 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 10:18 AM "This content is neither created rior endorsed by Google. Google Forms https:lldocs.google.com/forms/d/l4lgbPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8qm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 6 of 7 Page 105 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 7 of 7 Page 106 of 177 Message for respondents T1 i ii s for,I'tr Is no Ilorrgeir accepth ),,q respoi)ses Questi lorl Rinne to vote!! You can pick only or - mm= Dark -Eyed, Junco Chimney SwA CO) 1 570 responses CO) 3 ur sponses Viae hi Sheets --Hde opflourns 222 respoinses Page 107 of 177 Time to vote!! You can pick only one! 1,265 responses 0 Killdeer Merlin Dark -Eyed Junco Chimney Swift Page 108 of 177 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Cory Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development PREPARED BY: Jeremy Dueck, Director, Arts & Entertainment WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: April 21, 2025 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-207 SUBJECT: Arts & Entertainment Reserve RECOMMENDATION: That an Arts & Entertainment Reserve be established to pursue talent for tourism - driven programming and event opportunities, with attributes as described in the "Reserve Information Sheet" attached as Appendix A to report DSD -2025-207; and, That the Director of Arts & Entertainment and Executive Director of Economic Development be authorized to allocate funds and authorize expenses from the Arts & Entertainment Reserve as described in Appendix A of report DSD -2025-207; and further, That $300,000 be transferred from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve to the Arts & Entertainment Reserve to provide an initial funding base. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to create a reserve and provide Arts & Entertainment division staff delegated authority to pursue talent for tourism -driven programming and event opportunities. • The key finding of this report is that an Arts & Entertainment Reserve is required to create sustainable funding for event recruitment — without increasing tax -based funding (i.e., without increasing transfers from operating/capital budgets). • The financial implications are an initial transfer of $300,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Reserve to the Arts & Entertainment Reserve. • This report supports the 2023-26 strategic action plan by creating a financial structure for events and festivals. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 109 of 177 BACKGROUND: The City's Strategic Plan (2023-2026) aims to create an "Economically Thriving City" by implementing an entertainment venue management structure. Make It Kitchener 2.0 aims to create a vibrant and active city. As part of the 2024 and 2025 budget discussions, Council has shared its desire to see the City's festival, event, and performance offerings grow. In 2023, City Council endorsed the creation of a Centralized Services Provider model to support the four arts and entertainment venues owned by the City of Kitchener. One of the supports contemplated by this model is assistance in venue operators taking calculated risks on new shows, concerts, etc. Currently, the City's Special Events team is using Council -approved operating funds to produce its entire portfolio of signature events (e.g., Canada Day, Wayback Festival, etc.). As the cost to produce special events continues to rise, staff are being challenged to find new ways to offset increased expenses — particularly the cost of talent — without going over the approved budget amount. One opportunity includes the introduction of ticketed events; however, such events require the City to take on risk in the event ticket sales do not reach levels sufficient to cover costs. To do this, there needs to be a financial mechanism in place to underwrite non -budgeted programming risks. In addition, one major obstacle in pursuing this vision of special events is how quickly talent deals must come together. Delegated authority (DSD -2024-259) is already in place to enable staff to sign and authorize talent purchases, but there is not a financial mechanism in place to support talent purchases that are not planned for in the operating budget, thus constraining growth in the portfolio of events. REPORT: Through the City's Strategic Plan, Make It Kitchener 2.0 and recent budgets, Council has been clear on their ambition to see an increase in special events — offering bigger, better and more. Despite the additional operating funding provided by Council, due to the rising costs of producing an event — in particular talent costs — staff will be challenged to deliver an increased quantity and quality of events without introducing new methods of generating revenue. One option is to expand existing events through the introduction of ticketed event days. For example, the Wayback Festival currently offers a one -day event with a free concert. Staff could consider programming a second day as a ticketed concert, whereby the revenues generated offset the increasing costs of the free concert. This option, however, introduces new risk as there is no guarantee every ticketed event will be financially successful. In the event of financial loss (e.g., due to low ticket sales, weather impacts, etc.), staff would require a funding base to underwrite such losses, so as not to create a negative year-end variance. The creation of paid "VIP" experiences provides another revenue opportunity. Another potential application of the Arts & Entertainment Reserve could be to support risk- taking for new, non -budgeted, ticketed events in the other City -owned arts and entertainment venues such as the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. The creation of an Arts & Entertainment Reserve account is crucial for several reasons: Page 2 of 5 Page 110 of 177 • Ongoing, Renewable Funding — A dedicated reserve will provide a funding source for talent costs and related expenses, allowing the Arts & Entertainment division to program non -budgeted events without relying on increased funding from property taxes. Strategic Investment — The reserve will enable staff to pursue strategic event and programming opportunities that have the potential to create positive economic spin-off and benefit tourism. Financial Stability — By earmarking funds specifically for new non -budgeted events and/or non -budgeted components of existing events, the division can better mitigate the risk of operating budget shortfalls and variances. The benefits of a reserve include: Increased Event Recruitment Capability — The availability of funds for major event bids will enhance the City's ability to attract high-profile events, boosting its profile. • Economic Impact — High-quality arts and entertainment events attract visitors and residents alike, driving economic activity in the local area through increased spending on accommodation, dining, and other services. • Vibrancy—Adding non -budgeted events and programs will contribute to a vibrant, active community, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among residents. As the scale of events being considered would attract visitors from beyond Waterloo Region, leading to increased hotel stays, it is appropriate that the initial seed funding come from the Municipal Accommodation Tax. Staff would ensure that any funding drawn from this Reserve is attributed to costs associated with a multi -day event or an event that drew out- of-town visitors. Staff have engaged with the Director of Financial Planning & Asset Management regarding the creation and use of the proposed reserve. Staff have previously engaged with the Executive Director of Economic Development and the Director of Sport — key invested groups of the City's MAT Reserve, overseeing allocation and fulfilment. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Creating an Economically -Thriving City Together: Focuses on growing an agile, diverse local economy powered by talented entrepreneurs, workers & artists; creating opportunities for everyone and a resilient future that propels our city forward. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The Arts & Entertainment Reserve would receive initial seed funding of $300,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Reserve which is in place to enhance tourism initiatives and attract major events. Specifically, staff recommends earmarking these initial funds from the MAT to support non -budgeted programs and events. The MAT ended 2024 Page 3 of 5 Page 111 of 177 with a balance of approximately $1 M, so there is sufficient funding available to transfer to the Arts & Entertainment Reserve. Ongoing funding for the Arts & Entertainment Reserve would come from: Non -budgeted ticketing revenue — Any profits realized from new ticketed events that were in addition to the City's current portfolio of special events will be allocated to the reserve. • Non -budgeted revenue generation opportunities — Any profits or commissions generated from food and beverage sales, merchandise commissions, sponsorships, etc., over and above event expenses, would be allocated to the reserve. This initial funding model will enable proof of concept, whereby the initial funding from the MAT reserve will allow for some new ticketed events to be tried, but the ongoing success of this model will be dependent on ticket sales and other revenue generated by the new events on a recurring basis. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter. APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager — Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Appendix A — Arts & Entertainment Reserve Information Sheet Page 4 of 5 Page 112 of 177 Appendix A — Arts & Entertainment Reserve Information Sheet Name: Arts & Entertainment Reserve Type: Discretionary Category: Program Specific Cost Centre: TBD Ownership Lead: Director, Arts & Entertainment Purpose: Provide an initial funding mechanism to support the Arts & Entertainment division as it relates to non -budgeted, tourism -driven opportunities, such as ticketed events. Funding Sources (other than interest income): • Initial $300K funding investment from the MAT. • Non -budgeted ticketing revenue. • Other non -budgeted revenue generation opportunities (e.g., food & beverage, sponsorship, etc.) Funding Uses (other than interest expense): • Underwriting talent costs for non -budgeted, ticketed opportunities that have a tourism impact. • Major event bids and other event recruitment initiatives. • Underwriting operating costs for non -budgeted events such as production, security, etc. • Underwriting capital expenses for non -budgeted events such as venue repair (e.g., grass replacement in Victoria Park Commons). Minimum Funding Target: Closing balance should not be below $0. Rationale: Projects should not proceed unless funding is available. Maximum Funding Target: Closing balance should not exceed $1 million. Rationale: Staff should be planning for event recruitment and capital expense opportunities. Excess Funds: Excess funding greater than the maximum transfers to the Economic Development Reserve Fund. Other: NA Page 5 of 5 Page 113 of 177 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Financial Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Saleh Saleh, Director of Revenue, 519-904-6308 PREPARED BY: Shanna Yang, Revenue Analyst, 519-783-8028 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward(s) 8 & 10 DATE OF REPORT: April 25, 2025 REPORT NO.: FIN -2025-212 SUBJECT: Downtown Kitchener BIA and Belmont BIA 2025 Budgets RECOMMENDATION: That the 2025 Budgets for the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Belmont Business Improvement Area (BIA) be approved pursuant to Section 205 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN - 2025 -212. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: This report supports the delivery of core services. BACKGROUND: Section 205 (2) of the Act states that the board of management shall submit the budget to council by the date and in the form required by the municipality and the municipality may approve it in whole or in part but may not add expenditures to it. REPORT: The Downtown Kitchener BIA 2025 Budget was reviewed by the Board on September 25, 2024, and includes the following: Levy $ 1,895,230 Expenses $ 1,895,230 (refer to Attachment A — Downtown Kitchener BIA) The Belmont BIA 2025 Budget was reviewed by the Board on March 25, 2025, and includes the following: Levy $ 49,596 Expenses $ 75,855 *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 114 of 177 (refer to Attachment B — Belmont BIA). Approving the budget is the last step required to be able to levy taxes on behalf of the BIAs. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The 2025 BIA levy, once approved, will be used to determine BIA tax rates to be incorporated into the 2025 tax rate by-law. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter. APPROVED BY: Jonathan Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Downtown Kitchener BIA Attachment B — Belmont Business Improvement Area Page 115 of 177 Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area 2025 Draft Operating Budget BIA Levy 1,895,230 TOTAL REVENUE 1,895,230 ACTIVATE Kitchener -Waterloo Oktoberfest 30,000 Gospel Blues Breakfast 12,000 Kitchener Blues Festival 40,000 Special Events (Contribution to the City of Kitchener) 50,000 Christkindl Market (Contribution to the City of Kitchener) 40,000 Live Music 60,000 Arts and Culture Activation 330,000 Community Building 30,000 TOTAL ACTIVATE 592,000 BEAUTIFY & ENHANCE Graffiti Removal 30,000 Patio Program 55,000 Horticultural (Contribution to the City of Kitchener) 50,000 Window Decorating and Lighting 50,000 Keeping Downtown Clean (after 5pm waste removal) 65,000 TOTAL BEAUTIFY & ENHANCE 250,000 CONNECT DTK Resident Club - Stroll Walking Tours 12,000 Marketing and Promotions 275,000 Downtown Dollars 5,000 TOTAL CONNECT 292,000 HR EXPENSES Salaries 490,000 Wage Expenses and Benefits 87,500 TOTAL HR EXPENSES 577,500 GENE RAL & ADMIN 158,730 MEETINGS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 25,000 2025 Draft Operating Budget R Page 1 of 1 Page 116 of 177 Belmont Business Improvement Area (Belmont BIA) REVENUE City of Kitchener BIA Levy Other Income Total Revenue EXPENSES Administrative and General Improvement Projects Digital Events Expansion Finance Marketing Maintenance Total Expenses Net Revenue (Expenses) Accumulated Surplus, beginning of year Accumulated Surplus, end of year Budget Actual Budget 2024 2024 2025 48,624 48,624 49,596 0 6,494 6,000 48,624 55,118 55,596 13,671 10,127 7,112 3,300 3,431 826 9,500 11,459 22,200 7,750 264 0 450 38 50 0 2,890 11,800 26,103 28,115 33,867 60,774 56,324 75,855 -12,150 -1,206 -20,259 71,233 71,223 77,918 59,084 77,918 57,659 Note: the $77,918 surplass is made of $21,882 cash and the $56,036 fixed assets. Page 117 of 177 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Corporate Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 12, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Amanda Fusco, Director, Legislated Services and City Clerk, 519-904- 1402 PREPARED BY: Dianna Saunderson, Deputy Clerk/Manager Council & Committee Services, 519-904-1410 Mariah Blake, Committee Coordinator 519-783-8999 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: April 18, 2025 REPORT NO.: COR -2025-204 SUBJECT: Terms of Reference — Dog Designation Appeal Committee and Property Standards Appeal Committee RECOMMENDATION: That the Terms of Reference for the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and the Dog Designation Appeal Committee, as outlined in Appendix `A' of the Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-204, be approved; and, That an appeal fee for the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee be added to the 2025 User Fee schedule in the amount of $125.; and, That the Terms of Reference for the Property Standards Committee be amended to allow members of the Animal/Dog Designation Appeal Committee to serve as ex officio members of the Property Standards Committee, when needed; and, That the current appointments to the Animal/Dog Designation Appeal Committee and the Property Standards Appeal Committee remain in effect until the recruitment process is completed, and new members can be appointed. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to establish a formal Terms of Reference for the Animal Designation and Dog Designation Appeal Committee. On April 8, 2025, Council approved revisions to the Committee's composition to allow for the appointment of Council members and public members to form the Committee. The proposed composition of the committee is being recommended to appoint up to five members, comprising of the following: up to three members of the public with expertise in adjudication and/or animal behaviour, and up to two members of Council, who will be scheduled on a rotating basis. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 118 of 177 • The Terms of Reference provide greater transparency, accountability, and guidance to the Committee's operational procedures. • To support public participation, staff recommend an honorarium for public members of $125. per meeting if serving as the Chair, and a $100. per meeting for committee members. The proposed appeal fee will assist to offset costs of the honorarium for public members. • To improve scheduling flexibility and ensure quorum, a cross -appointment model is proposed, permitting members of the Animal/Dog Designation and Property Standards Appeal Committees to serve as ex officio members on each other's committees when needed. • This report supports the delivery of core services. BACKGROUND: On April 8, 2025, Council approved changes to the composition of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee and Animal Designation Appeal Committee, as outlined in COR -2025-111. These changes necessitated the development of a Terms of Reference to ensure clarity, fairness, and operational consistency in the Committee's processes. The revised Terms of Reference establish a clear structure and procedural framework, supporting transparency and procedural fairness for the application and administration of the City's Animal and Dog Ownership By-laws. The Dog Designation Appeal Committee provides a formal process through which dog owners may appeal designations made by the City's Animal Services provider. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee provides a formal process for residents to make an appeal to Committee to amend the restricted animal list. With the inclusion of both Council and public members - moving from a previously Council -only composition - the updated structure aims to bring a broader range of expertise and improve scheduling flexibility. REPORT: Following Council's direction on April 8, 2025, staff developed updated Terms of Reference for the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee. These updates reflect a revised structure for the committees, including membership and composition. The revised committees will consist of up to five members: • Up to Three (3) members of the public with relevant expertise • Up to Two (2) members of Council Each hearing will be scheduled to ensure at least one member of Council, and one public member are present to provide balanced representation. Decision -Making Process: Decisions made by the Committee will continue to be referred to the next Council meeting for ratification. If an appellant is dissatisfied with the Council's decision, they may appeal to Divisional Court. Honorarium for Public Members: To support the participation of members of the public, staff recommend offering an honorarium of $125. per meeting for the Chair and $100 per meeting for Page 119 of 177 the members, payable upon attendance. This honorarium is consistent with the Property Standards Committee and is intended to recognize the time and expertise of the public members. Appeal Fee: To help offset the costs associated with increased public participation, staff propose implementing an appeal fee of $125. This fee will help mitigate any budgetary variances resulting from the updated structure and additional public involvement. Cross -Committee Ex Officio Membership: To improve operational efficiency, staff are also recommending that members of the Property Standards Appeal Committee be authorized to serve as ex officio members on the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee when needed, and vice versa. The Committee members do have similar types of experience required to be considered for appointment, so the cross -appointment model will allow for greater flexibility in scheduling urgent matters, while maintaining fairness and impartiality. Given the relatively low frequency and volume of cases, this arrangement will enhance the effectiveness of both committees. Summary of the Recommendations: • Approve the updated Terms of Reference for the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee, as outlined. • Approve the honorarium of $125. per meeting for the Chair and $100 per meeting for the members, payable upon attendance. • Approve the implementation of an appeal fee of $125. • Approve the proposal for ex officio cross -appointments between the Animal/Dog Designation Appeal Committees and the Property Standards Appeal Committee. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget. Operating Budget - The proposed recommendations to amend the committee composition to include public members is expected to have a negligible effect on the operating budget. The Committee currently has its own operating budget that is allocated $1,000 to cover honorariums. To ensure the Committee is in line with the previously approved honorariums, it is recommended that any public members scheduled to attend a meeting, be paid the same rate that is paid to members of the Property Standards Committee, $125 Chair (s) and $100 Member (s). With the proposed changes in Committee composition, it is also being proposed at this time to implement an appeal fee of $125. to potentially off -set any potential variances in the Legislated Services Operating budget. Additionally, does help to minimize frivolous appeals and some cost recovery for staff time in facilitating the hearings. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Page 120 of 177 INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • COR -2025-111— 2025 Dog Designation Appeal Committee Review APPROVED BY: Victoria Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Dog Designation Appeal Committee and Animal Designation Appeal Committee — Terms of Reference Page 121 of 177 POLICY CAT -SUB-#### Dog Designation Appeal Committee and Animal Category Sub -category Designation Appeal Committee — Terms of GOV - BOA - Board & Reference Governance Committee Approval Type Department/Division Author and Position COUNCIL Corporate Mariah Blake, Committee Services/Legislated Coordinator Services/Council/Committee Services Date Approved Last Reviewed/Amended NextReview Date CHGk here'to eu iter s CiuGk Ilheire to enter s Clll dk hereto enter el deme date ate. Related Policies or Procedures • [Title with embedded link] 1. Policy Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish the Terms of Reference for the Dog Designation and Animal Designation Appeal Committees. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee considers appeals to add or change the classification of animal species as permitted, restricted, or prohibited under Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, and makes recommendations to Council based on criteria related to public health and safety, animal welfare, and environmental impact. The Dog Designation Appeal Committee considers an appeal (s) by a dog owner who has been designated under Chapter 420 (Dog -Designations) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code as potentially dangerous, dangerous, restricted, or prohibited by the Animal Services Provider as per the City of Kitchener Dog Designation By-laws. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee operate as quasi-judicial committees of Council and all decisions arising from the hearing are ratified at a subsequent Council meeting. 2. Definitions Agent: An individual authorized prior to the hearing, by signature of the dog owner/appellant to address the Dog Designation Appeal Committee or Animal Designation Appeal Committee on behalf of the appellant. Appellant: A dog owner that has been served with a dog designation from the animal services provider and who has submitted a Notice of Appeal to the Committee e 11 2fL�f 177 Secretary within the five (5) working days of being served with the designation, or a resident who has submitted an appeal to add or change the classification of animal species as permitted, restricted or prohibited. Animal Services Officer: Animal Service Officers are staff from the animal services provider responsible for responding to animal complaints, issuing dog designations, and ensuring the designations and conditions have been complied with. Responding animal service officers attend Committee meetings as the Respondent to provide evidence, and are represented by the City Solicitor or their delegate. Chair: The Chair moves forward business outlined on the meeting agenda, ensures decorum is maintained at meetings, and the rules of procedure and conduct are observed. Secretary Treasurer: The Secretary Treasurer is a staff member appointed by the Committee and is a non-voting member. They provide administrative support to the Committee, and procedural advice within hearings. The Secretary Treasurer may also be referred to as Committee Coordinator. Vice Chair: The Vice Chair acts in the absence of the Chair and assumes the roles and responsibilities of the Chair. Quorum: The minimum number of Committee members that must be in attendance to conduct hearings. 3. Policy Scope POLICYAPPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING: L7 All Employees L7 All Full -Time Employees L7 All Union L7 Management L7 C. U. P. E. 68 Civic L7 Non Union L7 C. U. P. E. 68 Mechanics L7 Temporary L7 C. U. P. E. 791 L7 Student L7 1. B. E. W. 636 L7 Part -Time Employees O K. P. F. F. A. L7 Specified Positions only: O Other: L7 Council O Local Boards & Advisory Committees Application ❑ Employees (Indicate below which categories apply: All employees, Permanent full-time, Temporary full-time, Continuous part- time, Casual, Probationary, Student, Management, Non-union) ❑ Unions (Indicate below which categories apply: All Unions, COPE 68 Civic, COPE 68 Mechanics, CUPE 791, IATSE, IBEW, KPFFA) ❑ Council ❑ Specified Positions: rug ell Mf 177 ❑x Other: Local Boards and Advisory Committees 4. Policy Content 4.1 Purpose of the Committee The Animal Designation Appeal Committee hears appeals to add or change the classification of animal species as permitted, restricted, or prohibited under Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, and makes recommendations to Council based on criteria related to public health and safety, animal welfare, and environmental impact. The Dog Designation Appeal Committee hears the appeal of any dog owner who has been served with a dog designation issued Chapter 420 (Dog - Designations) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code and who is not satisfied with the terms or conditions of the designation. 4.2 Roles and Responsibilities The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee are governed by procedures detailed in the Municipal Act, 2001, the Statutory Powers Procedures Act, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee are guided by regulations established by Council within Chapter 420 (Dog -Designations) and Chapter 421 (Responsible Dog Ownership) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code and Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee considers appeals submitted under Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code and has the authority to recommend to Council any of the following actions: i. Recommend that a mammal species be designated as a permitted or restricted animal, based on an assessment of captive breeding history, the general public's ability to provide appropriate care, the minimal danger to public health and safety, and the minimal risk to the local ecosystem; ii. Recommend that a bird species be designated as a restricted or prohibited animal, where captive breeding history is insufficient, appropriate care by the general public cannot be ensured, or where there is a more than minimal risk to public health, safety, or the local ecosystem; iii. Recommend that a reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate species be designated as a restricted or prohibited animal, where appropriate care cannot be ensured, or where there is a more than minimal risk to public health, safety, or the local ecosystem; and iv. Render a deferral or an adjournment. e81 24%f 177 The Dog Designation Appeal Committee considers appeals to designations applied by the animal services provider and has the ability to decide any of the following: i. Affirm or rescind the animal services provider's designation of the dog; ii. Substitute its own designation of the dog as potentially dangerous, dangerous, restricted, or prohibited; and iii. Substitute its own requirements of the owner of the dog including requirements the Dog Designation Appeal Committee may tailor to the specific circumstances before it or uphold or vary the requirements imposed by the Animal Services Provider; and, iv. Render a deferral or an adjournment. 4.3 Governance The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall adhere to the City policies and procedures, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, Chapter 420 (Dog - Designations), Chapter 421 (Responsible Dog Ownership) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Act. The Committee shall use the guidance of Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code to ensure a fair and unbiased hearing. 5. GENERAL 5.1 Composition The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of five (5) members. The Chair shall be selected by the committee on an ad hoc basis at each hearing. The Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall be composed of: • Up to two (2) members of Council; and, • Up to three (3) citizen members appointed by Council. In the event of scheduling challenges, members of the Property Standards Appeal Committee and the Animal/Dog Designation Appeal Committee may serve as ex officio members of each other's Committees, as necessary, to ensure timely and efficient scheduling of hearings. 5.2 Qualifications Consideration of the following criteria will be given for the appointments to the Dog Designation Appeal Committee and Animal Designation Appeal Committee: • Will comply with the criteria outlined in Council Policy GOV-BOA-063 (Appointment to Boards & Committees); • Demonstrated interest, academic qualification, work experience, rag e41 A%f 177 knowledge or professional expertise. Availability to attend meetings shall also be considered; Knowledge and/or understanding of Chapter 420 (Dog -Designations), Chapter 421 (Responsible Dog Ownership) and Chapter 408 (Animals - Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code would be considered an asset; Knowledge/Experience in one or more areas would be considered an asset: • Legal tribunal governance • Municipal Policy • Veterinarian Studies • Dog Training • Animal control or animal behaviour • Involvement in a local kennel club Ensuring a balance between experience and new membership; Demonstrated decision-making, communication, and mediation skills to facilitate an open and fair hearing process. 5.3 Term of Appointment The Committee shall serve for a two-year term or, another term determined by the Council that appointed them and, they shall remain members of the Committee until their successors are appointed. Where a member ceases to be a member before the expiration of their term, Council will appoint another person for the unexpired term. 5.4 Remuneration The Chair, if they are a member of the public, shall be compensated $125 for each meeting they attend; and, Committee members, who are members of the public, shall be compensated $100 for each meeting they attend. Honorariums will be paid following participation in each Animal Designation Appeal Committee and/or Dog Designation Appeal Committee meeting and will not be subject to income tax deductions by the City. 5.5 Code of Conduct The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and/or Dog Designation Appeal Committee members shall comply with any applicable legislation and regulations under the Statutory Powers Procedure Act and shall abide by the Code of Conduct adopted by Council. 5.6 Conflict of Interest The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act sets out a primary set of ethical rules for Council, Committee and local board members. These rules apply if members have a pecuniary (financial) interest in a matter that is before them at a meeting. The legislation requires a member with a pecuniary interest to: • disclose the interest and its general nature before the matter is considered at the meeting; • complete any required form (s) to necessary by the municipal conflict of interest act; rug e51 A%f 177 not take part in the discussion or voting on any question in respect of the matter; not attempt to influence the voting, during or after the meeting; and immediately leave the meeting, if the meeting is closed to the public. Regarding procedural fairness, members of the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee should consider taking the above -noted steps where they believe they have an actual bias or where a reasonable apprehension of bias may exist which could impact their ability to decide fairly on a particular matter before them at a meeting. In determining whether there is a reasonable apprehension of bias, the member should consider whether a reasonable and informed person, with knowledge of all relevant circumstances, viewing the matter realistically and practically, would think that it is more likely than not that the member, whether consciously or not, would not decide the matter fairly. 5.7 Resources to the Committee The Secretary-Treasurer/Committee Coordinator is a City of Kitchener staff and is a non-voting member. They provide administrative support to the Committee and, procedural advice within hearings. The Secretary Treasurer/Committee Coordinator will provide or arrange for the provision of orientation and training to Committee members following their appointments relating to the role of the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and/or Dog Designation Appeal Committee to ensure awareness of Chapter 420 (Dog -Designations), Chapter 421 (Responsible Dog Ownership), Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, and all related policies and procedures necessary for rendering decisions. The Secretary Treasurer will arrange for additional training and educational sessions for the Committee or individual members as requested by the Committee or a member of the Committee. The City of Kitchener Legal Staff who are not parties to the hearing are available to provide subject matter information related to the Chapter 420 (Responsible Dog Ownership) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code), Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code upon request, should the Committee choose to recess, deliberate and consult a lawyer. 6. HEARINGS 6.1 Conduct of Hearing The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and/or Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall adhere to City policies and procedures, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Kitchener Municipal By- law 2014-138 (Responsible Dog Ownership), the Kitchener Municipal By-law 2014-142 (Designation of Potential Dangerous, Dangerous, Prohibited and Restricted Dogs), the Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 420 (Responsible Dog Ownership) and Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation), and use the guidance of e81fl� rag �f 177 the Procedural By-law to ensure a fair and unbiased hearing. Where the above noted laws and policies do not speak to an issue, Robert's Rules of Order will be the default guide for meeting procedures. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall provide and conduct fair hearings by: • Allowing both the Appellant and Respondents and their witnesses as necessary, speak to an appeal; • Giving due diligence to the consideration of each appeal; • Reviewing the merits of the appeal, the documentation and evidence put forward and, rendering decisions on applications, in accordance with the requirements of the municipal by-law standards. • Making rational decisions with appropriate, well -thought-out conditions; and, • Each member including the Chair clearly identifying support or opposition when voting; and, • Clearly stating the reasons for their decisions. 6.2 Meeting Schedule and Location The Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee shall meet when an appeal is filed. The Committee Coordinator who also acts as the Secretary to the Committee, shall prepare an annual schedule of hearing dates and if a hearing is scheduled, it shall be advertised on the City's website a minimum of 10 days in advance of the hearing. The date, time, and location of meetings can be modified at the discretion of the Secretary to the Committee and the City Solicitor or their delegate. Notice of any modified meeting details shall be published on the City's website. 6.3 Notice of Hearing Upon receipt of the Dog Designation, the dog owner must file an appeal using the prescribed Dog Designation Notice of Appeal form to Legislated Services within five (5) working days from the date they receive the designation from the Animal Services Officer. The Animal Services provider and the City Solicitor and/or their delegate shall be informed of this appeal via email by the Secretary Treasurer. The Secretary Treasurer shall endeavour to schedule an Animal Designation Appeal Committee and/or Dog Designation Appeal Committee hearing within 45 working days of the Clerk's receipt of the request for an appeal hearing or as soon thereafter as possible. Notice of the Hearing shall be issued a minimum of 14 days prior to the hearing. Notice can be issued less than 14 days prior to the hearing at the discretion of the dog owner, Secretary -Treasurer and City Solicitor or their delegate. 6.4 Open Meetings All Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the City of Kitchener's Procedural By-law and the Municipal Act, 2001. After all rug e71 2d%f 177 submissions have been made, the Committee may retire to another room to deliberate before rendering its decision as outlined under the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. 6.5 Quorum Quorum for the Animal Designation Appeal Committee and the Dog Designation Appeal Committee is the minimum number of Committee members that must be in attendance to conduct hearings. At the time of this policy, two (2) members shall constitute a quorum. All members are requested to attend every meeting, according to the schedule. Members of the Committee shall notify the Secretary -Treasurer when they will be absent from any meeting 6.6 Voting Every Animal Designation Appeal Committee and Dog Designation Appeal Committee member is required to vote, including the Chair. Those members who are present at a Committee Meeting when a decision is rendered shall vote by show of hands, except where they are disqualified from voting by reason of a pecuniary interest or is absent from the meeting during the vote. Any member who refuses to vote will be recorded as voting in the negative (opposed). In the event of equality of votes, the motion being voted on is deemed to be lost. 6.7 Hearing Procedures Where possible, the hearing procedure should abide by the following: • The Chair shall call the meeting to order; • Committee Members shall declare any pecuniary interests that they may have in applications before the Committee, and the provisions of the Municipal Conflict Interest Act shall apply. o If a conflict of interest is declared, it is suggested that the member leave the meeting room for the duration of the hearing of the application and until a decision is rendered. • Chair welcomes those in attendance and provides and explanation of the procedures: o The City Solicitor or their delegate and their witnesses shall be given the opportunity to present their evidence; o The Appellant and their representatives shall be given the opportunity to present their evidence; o Comments and questions are to be addressed through the Chair; o All those in attendance at the meeting shall be encouraged not to: • speak disrespectfully of any person; • use offensive words; • disobey the decision of the Chair or Committee; and, • enter into cross debate with other persons present, City staff, Members, or the Chair. The City Solicitor or their delegate, Appellant and their representatives shall be given the opportunity to present their evidence. Members of the Committee may retire, if necessary, to deliberate on the matter before them prior to rendering a decision; Members will render the decision verbally in the meeting; • In the event the Committee needs more time to consider its decision, the Committee can reserve their decision, whereby the decision would be communicated to staff and the appellant in writing through the issuance of a Notice of Decision. However, if possible, it is preferable for the Committee to render its decision on the date of the hearing while the parties are present. Adjournment of the meeting. Staff reserve the right to amend hearing procedures as they are administrative in nature and are required to reflect legislative changes. Please see appendix `A', Administrative Hearing Procedures for comprehensive hearing procedures for the Dog Designation Appeal Committee. 6.8 Notice of Decision The Secretary Treasurer will endeavor to notify the Appellant, in writing of the Committee's decision within five (5) working days. The Animal Services Agency shall also receive a copy of the decision. The Decision will be forwarded to the first available City Council meeting for ratification. The decision once ratified by Council can be appealed by the City or the Appellant to the Divisional Court within 30 days of the decision being issued. Such an appeal would be heard by a panel of Judges by way of judicial review. 6.9 Policy History None at this time. Results of Review ❑ No Edits Required ❑ Housekeeping Edits ❑ Substantial Edits ❑ Repeal/Replace gl � rug eb%f 177 Dog Designation Appeal Committee/ Animal Designation Appeal Committee Hearin Procedure START OF THE MEETING The Chair shall advise: Dog Designation Appeal Committee: "This meeting of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee is being called to consider appeals of Dog Designations applied by the Humane Society of Kitchener -Waterloo and Stratford Perth pursuant to Chapter 420 (Dog - Designation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code. " Animal Designation Appeal Committee: "This meeting of the Animal Designation Appeal Committee is being called to consider appeals to add or change the classification of animal species as permitted, restricted, or prohibited under Chapter 408 (Animals — Regulation) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code The Chair shall introduce themself, and the other members of the Committee; and, the Committee Coordinator. THE APPEAL(S) THAT WILL BE HEARD: THE HEARING PROCESS The Chair shall read the following statement and review the hearing process: "This hearing is a formal process where those giving evidence will be required to make an affirmation as to the validity of their testimony,- however, the Committee tries to conduct the hearing in a relaxed fashion." COMMITTEE'S POWERS & ABILITY TO RENDER A DECISION Dog Designation Appeal Committee: The Chair shall advise that the Committee has the authority to do the following: 1. Affirm the Designation as it currently stands; 2. Rescind the Designation; 3. Modify the Designation by substituting the requirements of the dog owner; 4. Modify the Designation by substituting the designation of the dog as: potentially dangerous, dangerous, restricted or prohibited. Animal Designation Appeal Committee: The Chair shall advise that the Committee has the authority to recommend to Council any of the following actions: 1. Recommend that a mammal species be designated as a permitted or restricted animal, based on an assessment of captive breeding history, the general public's ability to provide appropriate care, the minimal danger to public health and safety, and the minimal risk to the local ecosystem; 2. Recommend that a bird species be designated as a restricted or prohibited animal, where captive breeding history is insufficient, appropriate care by the general public cannot be ensured, or where there is a more than minimal risk to public health, safety, or the local ecosystem; 3. Recommend that a reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate species be designated as a restricted or prohibited animal, where appropriate care cannot be ensured, or where there is a more than minimal risk to public health, safety, or the local ecosystem; and 4. Render a deferral or an adjournment. Pagel of 3 Page 131 of 177 The Chair shall further advise that the decision of the Committee will be forwarded to City Council for ratification, at their meeting on (at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber), and all parties to this Hearing may appear as a delegation at that time. • The Appellant will receive the Committees decision in writing from the Committee Coordinator prior to this matter being heard by City Council. PROCESS BY WHICH THE HEARING WILL BE CONDUCTED These processes are administrative in nature and may be amended by staff where necessary to ensure a fair and impartial process. Dog Designation Appeal Committee The Chair shall review the Hearing process: i. The Committee Coordinator will affirm the witnesses who will be giving evidence or testimony; ii. The City Solicitor or their delegate will be asked to present submission first on behalf of the Humane Society, call witnesses, and offer evidence; iii. Once the City Solicitor or their delegate has finished presenting her submission, the Committee members may ask questions regarding her submission; iv. The Appellant or their counsel/agent may cross-examine (question) the witnesses and the evidence of the Humane Society; v. The Appellant will then be given an opportunity to present their submission, call witnesses, and offer evidence; vi. Once the Appellant has finished presenting their submission, the Committee members may ask questions regarding their submission; vii. City Staff may cross-examine (question) the witnesses and the evidence of the Appellant; viii. Both sides will be asked to provide summations; L After both parties have provided summations, the Committee members will retire to another room to make their decision, and return to give their decision to those present. The Committee will either (a) reserve its decision; or (b) render a decision orally. *** Begin the hearing process by calling on the City Solicitor or their delegate to present their submission. Animal Designation Appeal Committee The Chair shall review the Hearing process: i. The Committee Coordinator will affirm the witnesses who will be giving evidence or testimony; ii. The Appellant will then be given an opportunity to present their submission, call witnesses, and offer evidence; iii. Once the Appellant has finished presenting their submission, the Committee members may ask questions regarding their submission; iv. City Staff may then be provided the opportunity to ask questions of the appellant and/or their witnesses; V. The City Solicitor and/or their delegate will be asked to present their submission, call witnesses, and offer evidence; vi. Once the City Solicitor and/or their delegate has finished presenting her submission, the Committee members may ask questions regarding their submission; Page 2 of 3 Page 132 of 177 vii. City Staff may then be provided the opportunity to ask questions of the appellant and/or their witnesses; viii. Both sides will be asked to provide summations; ix. After both parties have provided summations, the Committee members will retire to another room to make their decision, and return to give their decision to those present. The Committee will either (a) reserve its decision; or (b) render a decision orally. Page 3 of 3 Page 133 of 177 Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Anna Marie Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer 519-783-8970 PREPARED BY: Fionnula Wade, Sustainability Advisor, 519-707-1464 Luke Reesor-Keller, Project Manager Facilities Energy Management, 519-783-8576 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Ward(s) DATE OF REPORT: April 10, 2025 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-133 SUBJECT: 2024 Pivot Net -0 update RECOMMENDATION: For information REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The three -fold purpose of this report is to provide a progress update on 2016-2024 corporate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (Appendix A) and our near-term target of an 8% greenhouse gas emissions reduction for 2026; update on the 19 annual progress reporting metrics (Appendix B) and the 47 action items (Appendix C) as identified in Pivot. Net -Zero • The key finding of this report is that the City of Kitchener's corporate GHG emissions have seen a 6% reduction overall from 2016-2024. • Historical trends alone would predict the City of Kitchener to be on track to meet its near-term target of 8% GHG reduction from 2016 baseline. Historical trends however are not predictive. There are two external threats particularly noteworthy — an increase in carbon intensity of Ontario electricity and a 2025 winter season that likely demanded more energy for space heating and snow clearing than recent years. • To make progress on our goals we need to continue to prioritize the 3 pathways of energy conservation, fuel switching, and generating renewable energy along with continued advocacy to other levels of government and industry to support these pathways • Of the 47 actions listed in Pivot: Net -Zero, 24 (51%) have been completed and/or are on-going, 14 (30%) are in progress, 8 (17%) have not been started but are on track for the intended completion date, and 1 (2%) is underway and slightly delayed (Appendix C). *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 134 of 177 • Community engagement included presentation and discussion with Kitchener's Climate Change and Environment Advisory Committee in their March and April 2025 committee meetings. • This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener has identified a corporate near-term target of achieving an 8% reduction in corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2026 from the baseline year of 2016; as well as a long-term goal of achieving net -zero by 2050. Achieving net -zero emissions means cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere. This is the first progress report on the organization's second -generation corporate climate action plan called Pivot: Net -Zero (2024-2027); approved by Council on April 22, 2024 (DSD -2024-074). The three -fold purpose of this report is to: 1. Provide a progress update on 2016-2024 corporate greenhouse gas emissions (Appendix A) and our near-term target of an 8% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2026; 2. Provide an update on the 19 annual progress reporting metrics (Appendix B), and; 3. Share progress on the 47 action items (Appendix C), as identified in Pivot: Net -Zero. This reporting is provided annually in April/May to align closely with Earth Day. REPORT: Progress on Corporate GHGs 2016-2024 (Appendix A) The City of Kitchener corporate GHG emissions have seen a 6% reduction overall from 2016-2024. Significant and sustained GHG reductions are maintained in the Streetlighting focus area. This is due to the extensive, efficiency -focused LED conversion project completed in 2017 for the cobra head streetlights, and 2022 for decorative post -top lights. The City of Kitchener's Facilities and Fleet operations continue to grow. Kitchener is among the fastest growing communities in Canada and likewise City of Kitchener service delivery is expanding. As we expand service delivery to the community, we acquire new assets (e.g. buildings, roads, park, utility infrastructure) that must be maintained. The GHG reduction from 2023-2024 is in part due to a warmer winter (less demand of energy for space heating), in addition to efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations. While Fleet & Equipment has seen an increase in GHG emissions from 2016 baseline levels, assets have continued to grow on an annual basis as well. In 2022 alone, fleet assets have increased by approximately 8%, while overall emissions decreased by 3%. This is a promising trend, that may be indicating a decoupling of Fleet growth and GHG emissions that can be sustained into the future with the further implementation of Pivot: Net -Zero actions. There has been a 2% reduction in corporate GHG emissions annually since 2022. This has occurred despite growth in our service delivery to the community. If we were to Page 135 of 177 extrapolate based on historical data alone, and try to predict the future, one might conclude that we are on track to reach the near-term target of an 8% reduction by 2026 from the 2016 baseline year. Historical trends however are not predictive. Several external threats outside of our control threaten our ability to reach our 8% GHG reduction target by 2026, including increasing carbon intensity of Ontario electricity and heating degree days. External Threats to reaching near-term target goal of 8% reduction Increasing Carbon Intensity of the Ontario Electricity Grid Ontario's Electricity Grid is known for being "clean," with nearly 90% of electricity coming from zero emissions sources. Ontario currently has one of the lowest carbon intensity factors in the world. Between 2016 and 2024, our corporate electricity consumption fell by 10%, however emissions fell by 34%. It is important to note the potential risks and benefits associated with changes in the carbon intensity of the electricity grid. Such changes are largely out of our control. Recently, there has been a need for high carbon intense electricity generation in Ontario that has resulted in increasing emissions factors for electricity. In 2025, the emissions factor will rise to 38gCO2e/kWh (from 30gCO2e/kWh in 2024), which are anticipated to result in an approximate 4% increase in Facilities emissions. When we set our corporate baseline year in 2016, the carbon intensity of the Ontario electricity grid was low. While positive changes to the electricity grid have benefited the City of Kitchener's emissions in the past, this is not anticipated into the future. Anticipated increase in demand for energy in 2025 Heating degree days (HDD) is a way of quantifying energy demand to heat buildings based on outside temperatures. During colder winters with more heating degree days, it is anticipated that energy consumption for space heating (i.e., natural gas), and the associated GHG emissions, would be higher. When looking ahead to our 2025 reporting, it is probable that there will be an increase in overall corporate GHGs. The first months of 2025 were marked by significant cold weather and heavy snowfall. Energy use for both space heating in our facilities and fleet utilization associated with winter maintenance activities is anticipated to be higher than previous years. Despite modest, incremental emissions reductions to date, we cannot confidently state that these reductions will be sustained into the future. Calls to Action Focussing energies where we can, to make an impact on corporate GHGs is the best way to protect our organization from external threats and disruptions while building resiliency towards meeting our long-term net -zero goal. Our capital and operating decision-making today needs to prioritize deep GHG reductions, similar to the net zero choices that have been made with the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex. We need to prioritize the 3 pathways of energy conservation, fuel switching, and generating renewable energy. Lastly, continued advocacy to other levels of government and industry to support these pathways is important. Page 136 of 177 Corporate Indicators (Appendix B) Appendix B contains a detailed list of the 19 annual reporting metrics for 2024, including but not limited to GHG emissions, carbon intensity, costs, and energy usage across corporate, Fleet and Equipment, and Facilities operations. Pivot Net -Zero Progress on 47 actions (Appendix C) Pivot: Net -Zero outlines 47 actions that are foundational to developing a roadmap to align net -zero actions with multiple priorities across the organization (e.g., deferred maintenance, asset renewal, capital planning), streamlining the most strategic approach to making progress on new net -zero target. Of the 47 actions listed in Pivot: Net -Zero, 24 (51 %) have been completed and/or are on-going, 14 (30%) are in progress, 8 (17%) have not been started but are on track for the intended completion date, and 1 (2%) is slightly delayed. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting and presented for discussion with Kitchener's Climate Change and Environment Advisory Committee in March and April 2025 committee meetings. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • DSD -2024-074 CorCAP 2.0 Pivot. Net -0 (April 22, 2024) APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager Development Services Denise McGoldrick, General Manager Infrastructure Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Pivot. Net -Zero 2024 Progress Update Page 137 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) Table of Contents 1. Introduction..............................................................................................................4 2. Corporate GHG Inventory........................................................................................ 4 3. Variations in GHG Intensity......................................................................................6 4. Strategic Priorities by Focus Area............................................................................ 7 4.1. Facilities............................................................................................................7 4.2. Fleet & Equipment.......................................................................................... 10 4.3. Streetlighting................................................................................................... 11 4.4. Staff Travel...................................................................................................... 12 4.5. Corporate Waste............................................................................................. 12 5. Corporate and Community Emissions.................................................................... 12 6. Trends....................................................................................................................12 6.1. Sustained GHG Reductions in Streetlighting.................................................. 15 6.2. Service Growth and GHG's............................................................................. 15 6.3. Electricity Grid................................................................................................. 15 6.4. Heating Degree Days...................................................................................... 15 7. Threats to reaching our reduction target................................................................ 16 8. Calls to Action........................................................................................................ 16 9. Appendices............................................................................................................ 17 9.1. Appendix A — Corporate GHG Inventory - Methodology & Adjustments ......... 17 9.1.1. Methodology............................................................................................ 17 9.1.2. Assets in GHG Inventory ......................................................................... 17 9.1.3. Adjustments............................................................................................. 18 9.2. Appendix B — Annual Progress Reporting Metrics .......................................... 20 9.3. Appendix C — Summary of CorCAP 2.0: Pivot Net -Zero Actions .................... 23 List of Figures Figure 1 - 2024 Corporate GHG Emissions by Focus Area.............................................4 Figure 2 - 2024 Facilities and Fleet & Equipment GHG Emissions by Energy Type ....... 5 Figure 3 - 2024 Energy Consumption vs. Emissions by Energy Source ......................... 7 Figure 4 - 2024 Corporate GHG Emissions by Energy Source and Facility Type ........... 8 Figure 5 - 2024 Top 10 GHG Emitting Facilities.............................................................. 9 Figure 6 - 2024 GHG Emissions by Fleet Vehicle Class (excluding small equipment).. 11 K Page 139 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) Figure 7 - Corporate GHG Emissions 2016 — 2024 ....................................................... 13 List of Tables Table 1 - 2024 Utility and Fuel Costs.............................................................................. 6 Table 2 - Corporate GHG Emissions vs Consumption by Focus Area .......................... 14 9 Page 140 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) 1. Introduction The City of Kitchener has identified a corporate near-term target of achieving an 8% reduction in corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the baseline year of 2016; as well as a long-term goal of achieving net -zero by 2050. Achieving net -zero emissions means cutting GHG emissions from human activities to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere. This is the first progress report on the organization's second -generation corporate climate action plan called Pivot: Net -Zero; approved by Council April 22, 2024 (DSD -2024-074). The threefold purpose of this report is to track corporate GHG progress from 2016- 2024, provide an update on the 19 annual progress reporting metrics (Appendix B) and the 47 action items (Appendix C), as identified in Pivot: Net -Zero. 2. Corporate GHG Inventory The City of Kitchener reports on GHG emissions in five corporate focus areas, presented below in Figure 1. These corporate focus areas are consistent across most, if not all municipalities. GHG emissions are calculated based on energy consumption (fuel, electricity, natural gas) and emissions factors from verified sources (these details are further described in Appendix A). Facilities m Fleet & Equipment Staff Travel Streetlighting Waste % Figure 1 - 2024 Corporate GHG Emissions by Focus Area Il Page 141 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) In 2024, the City of Kitchener emitted 10,847 tonnes of GHGs (tCO2e). Ninety percent of these emissions came from two corporate focus areas — Facilities (54%) and Fleet & Equipment (36%), which is consistent distribution of corporate emissions from baseline. When we look at our corporate sources of energy within these two focus areas (Figure 2), particularly the types of fossil fuels we rely on, we see natural gas continuing to play an important role in our facilities (for space heating, and domestic hot water). Space heating alone accounts for approximately 80% of natural gas use in Facilities. While in our fleet & equipment — gasoline and diesel are significant. Gasoline is used primarily for lighter duty vehicles and diesel is used in medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Facilities Fleet & Equipment 0 11000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 tCO2e 111111 Diesel uuuuu Biodiesel Electricity uuuuul Ethanol Blend (10%) Gasoline uuuuil Natural Gas Propane Figure 2 - 2024 Facilities and Fleet & Equipment GHG Emissions by Energy Type As GHG emissions on their own can be difficult to relate to, utility costs offer an alternative way to look at energy consumption across the organization. Table 1 below outlines 2024 costs by energy source for both Facilities, and Fleet & Equipment focus areas. 5 Page 142 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) Table 1 - 2024 Utility and Fuel Costs Energy Source 2024 Cost Fleet & Equipment Gasoline (includes gasoline and ethanol blend) $1,012,731 Diesel (includes petroleum diesel and biodiesel blends) $1,070,168 Propane — fleet & equipment $5,667 Fleet Total $2,088,582 Facilities Propane $11,598 Electricity $4,751,414 Natural Gas $1,000,120 Facilities Total $5,763,132 Grand Total $7,851,698 3. Variations in GHG Intensity When it comes to GHG emissions, not all energy sources are equal. Some energy sources are more carbon intense than others. This becomes clear when comparing energy consumption to GHG emissions for different energy sources (Figure 3). For instance, electricity is the source for 47% of our corporate energy used in 2024, yet only accounts for 12% of our corporate GHGs. Natural gas by comparison is the source of 41 % of our energy used — yet accounts for 64% of our corporate GHGs. Similarly, fleet fuels account for 12% of total corporate energy used, but 23% of corporate GHGs emissions. This data provides insight into how transitioning to lower carbon energy sources is important, why it is sound for this to be a corporate priority and how a corporate energy transition can make a significant impact on our corporate GHGs and in our corporate journey to net -zero. C.1 Page 143 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) Energy Consumption by Energy Emissions by Energy Source Source Electricity Fleet Fuels Natural Gas Propane 0.05% 47% 1% Figure 3 - 2024 Energy Consumption vs. Emissions by Energy Source 4. Strategic Priorities by Focus Area 4.1. Facilities Facilities are responsible for just over half of Kitchener's corporate GHG emissions (54%). 84% of these GHG emissions are due to natural gas consumption used for space and water heating - equivalent to 45% of total corporate emissions. Looking at the data with both a facility and energy type lens, enables a more granular and strategic understanding of Facilities and their contribution to corporate GHGs. Certain facility types emerge as priority areas for making impact including Arenas, Administrative Buildings and Pools (Figure 4). This is underscored by looking at the corporate Top 10 GHG emitting facilities (Figure 5), 8 of which fall into these 3 categories, including 6 within the Sport Division (Arenas and Pools). 7 Page 144 of 177 C) 0 0 0 0 0 N O C) C) r (3) 0 O 0 00 I C) CDN iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii O ai C •� CD > U p>' LL uJ 06 N yL U �+ E E O O cocc U •�O � Q U O L J cn L U O U O cu U Q (II M C� L N L E O U i Q U LL N O N O 4.10- D D co C a 0 a� N z O r I 0 N a U L O A, a t H Old ►4 X N Q 0 QL U) c� U El co C a 0 V- 0 Q Al O O 0- (D N U Q ca t O m Q J c� 0 O 0- cn i 0) 2 en O O LL RWA u1 Im 00 0 0 rl I 0 0 IR O LL 0 O N — LL �U �1 L U +r O L1J co LL cn 2 ca � U o o C> N C � IIIIIz N O o O N LO d i 7 O LL 0 As Facilities transitions towards lower carbon fuel sources for heating, we should begin to see the carbon intensity of buildings decrease, which can be done through tracking the carbon intensity per area of building owned. In 2024, the carbon intensity for facilities was 28.5kg CO2e/m2 (0.028tCO2e/m2), excluding pumping stations. Generating renewable energy The solar panels installed on the roof of the Kitchener Operations Facility generated a total of 570,263 kWh in 2024. The energy produced from these solar panels is sent back to the electrical grid. 4.2. Fleet & Equipment The Fleet Division at the City of Kitchener is an integral part of service delivery across many departments. In total, Fleet is responsible for approximately 650 on and off-road vehicles and equipment. In addition, the City of Kitchener has many smaller handheld equipment. Due to the refueling practices, it is difficult to track exactly how much fuel they use, rather the fuel used in these units is captured under the associated vehicle's fuel usage. Fleet assets continue to grow annually. In 2024, 18 additional on and off-road vehicles and equipment were added to the inventory. However, 40 electrified assets were added through replacements including 4 electricity utility vehicles, and 37 electric handheld equipment units. Light duty vehicles (LDVs) include cars, cargo vans, SUVs and smaller pick-up trucks and they make up 38% of our fleet assets but are only responsible for 21 % of fleet emissions (Figure 6). The marketplace currently offers electric options for many LDVs. This vehicle type is most ready to transition to zero -emission options. In 2024, Fleet has a total of 22 battery electric vehicles (BEV's) in operations. By contrast, the medium and heavy-duty vehicle marketplace is limited in its offering of zero emissions vehicle options. Vehicles in this category include dump trucks, large pick-up trucks (e.g., Ford 550) and fire trucks. These two categories represent 32% of our total fleet assets and 60% of our fleet and equipment emissions (Figure 6). Therefore, even by electrifying all our light-duty vehicles, the majority of emissions from this focus area will persist until viable options present in the marketplace. Making significant and sustained corporate fleet GHG reductions will continue to be a challenge not readily remedied within the next 5 years. Fleet is working on a Sustainable Fleet Transition Strategy (Appendix C, Action 27) that will explore alternate fleet fuels including hydrogen and renewable diesel options. Page 147 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) Equipment Heavy Duty Light Duty Medium Duty % of Fleet Assets % of Fleet Emissions Figure 6 - 2024 GHG Emissions by Fleet Vehicle Class (excluding small equipment) As we transition towards lower carbon fuel sources, we anticipate seeing the carbon intensity of Kitchener's fleet decrease. Tracking the carbon intensity per kilometer driven by fleet vehicles is an effective way to show the shift away from fossil fuels. In 2024, the carbon intensity of Kitchener's fleet is at 0.55 kgCO2e/km (0.00055tCO2e/km) for on - road licensed vehicles, which are classified as light and medium duty vehicles. This metric has not been reported on in previous years and will be tracked going forward. 4.3. Streetl i g hti ng The City of Kitchener is responsible for a network of approximately 18,325 Cobra Head streetlights and 2,689 decorative post -top lights. Acknowledging the opportunity to reduce GHG emissions from electricity to power lights and for impressive cost savings, the City undertook an extensive LED conversion project, converting 15,636 of its Cobra Head streetlights, over a 2 -year period from 2015-2017. Cost and energy savings were immediate and significant. In April 2017 (pre -completion), electricity use for streetlights was approximately 802,000 kWh, and the following April consumption fell to approximately 350,000 kWh. In 2022/2023, a similar project was done for all the City's decorative post -top lights, with an estimated pay -back period of 10.7 years. Not only has the transition to LED lighting resulted in emission reductions but it has also significantly decreased the waste associated with replacing streetlight bulbs. On average, the previously used high-pressure sodium (HSP) lightbulbs were replaced every 3 years. Following the transition to LED, many of the streetlights have not been replaced since their transition in 2015, making them 10 years old and still operating. Since the project was implemented in 2017, a sustained reduction in GHG emissions of approximately 71 % has been observed. (Table 2). Streetlighting is a successful example of achieving significant and sustained GHG emissions. 11 Page 148 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) 4.4. Staff Travel Staff travel includes vehicle mileage claimed by employees who used a personal vehicle for work purposes only. By tracking and reporting on this category, we are able to provide a more wholistic view of staff travel related to service delivery to the community to complement fleet reporting. Staff travel in 2024 accounted for only 1 % of the City of Kitchener's total emissions, 64t CO2e. Since 2021, emissions from staff travel have increased by approximately 48%, however, there was a 19% decrease in staff travel from 2023 to 2024. 4.5. Corporate Waste This focus area includes waste generated at City facilities and from street level and park waste receptacles. While waste may appear to be a small part of corporate emissions (8.5%), methane from waste is much more harmful and potent than other GHGs. From 2016 — 2024, GHG emissions from corporate waste have increased by 37%, which is an 11 % increase from 2023. Waste has been on an upward trend since 2016, with a large jump observed in 2022. In order to address this issue, additional information into the City of Kitchener's waste is needed. To help fill this gap, a Corporate Waste Assessment is an action identified in Pivot: Net -Zero to assess how the City of Kitchener's corporate waste is handled and identify opportunities for improvement (Appendix C, Action 35). 5. Corporate and Community Emissions Climate Action Waterloo Region tracks community emissions across Waterloo Region. When comparing how the City of Kitchener's corporate GHG emissions contribute across the region, they account for less than 1 % of all community emissions. We all play a role in reducing the GHG emissions within our community, so while this number is small, it does not undermine the importance of our Corporate Climate Action Plan and target of achieving net -zero by 2050. 6. Trends The City of Kitchener corporate GHG emissions have seen a 6% reduction overall from 2016-2024. Figure 7 illustrates this progress with the dotted red line indicating the target of reducing emissions by 8% from 2016 levels. Table 2 describes the changes in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions over time and shows a decline in emissions over the last 2 years. 12 Page 149 of 177 O O O O O O N � r ti ti 4- 0 0 LO T- (3) 0) m n IIII.V,I.V.VV4� �IVIIIIIIIf R Co i idUbbbbbbbb�����,1`CR$- co CN i�7'�YIPPDhFFF�'6�'6'F'F� _ - U Gk4kk44ti ^ LU_ w cl) LD CU LL LL co LL N C)I ti ti 4- 0 0 LO T- (3) 0) m n N O N O 4.10- D D co c a 0 a� N Z 0 r 0 ^N LL a V O A, 0)o 0 0 o a o o Z cc N U c' + ti + 0 o LU N r N C O O 0 0 o a o 0 CU E O N Z T co ti Uc + + o U c — cn a� c cm o o\ o a o o 04T � 0 o W N r N C - o E � o a o 0 c �° + Z T co CD + U c o o U C cn O C 0 o a o o a a o 0 N co n ~ + \ Z co ~ + N U E N CD o LU co T- CD N C - 0 �P E o o a -Cc' Co M ZC.0+ r U') 1 U C T + + o o U o ( cn U' toCU �±_ ��X( C' C • L Fu W V a •5 ti::a) O f6 i C6 CO LU 00 Z LL LU CA U) 6.1. Sustained GHG Reductions in Streetlighting Significant and sustained GHG reductions are maintained in the Streetlighting focus area. This is due to the extensive, efficiency -focused LED conversion project completed in 2017 for the cobra head streetlights, and 2022 for decorative post -top lights. 6.2. Service Growth and GHG's The City of Kitchener's Facilities and Fleet operations continue to grow. Kitchener is among the fastest growing communities in Canada and likewise City of Kitchener service delivery is expanding. As we expand service delivery to the community, we acquire new buildings. The GHG reduction from 2023-2024 is in part due to a warmer winter (less demand for energy for space heating), in addition to efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations. While Fleet & Equipment has seen an increase in GHG emissions from 2016 baseline levels, assets have continued to grow on an annual basis as well. It is important to note that emissions were slightly elevated in 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions making single occupant vehicles necessary in operations. From 2022 alone, fleet assets have increased by approximately 8%, while emissions have decreased by 3%. This is a promising trend, that may be indicating a decoupling of Fleet growth and GHG emissions that can be sustained into the future with the further implementation of Pivot: Net -Zero actions. 6.3. Electricity Grid Ontario's Electricity Grid is known for being "clean," with nearly 90% of electricity coming from zero emissions sources. Ontario currently has one of the lowest carbon intensity factors in the world. Between 2016 and 2024, our electricity consumption fell by 10%, however emissions fell by 34%. It is important to note the potential risks and benefits associated with changes in the carbon intensity of the electricity grid. Such changes are largely out of our control. Recently, there has been a need for high carbon intense electricity generation in Ontario that has resulted in increasing emissions factors for electricity. In 2025, the emissions factor will rise to 38gCO2e/kWh (from 30gCO2e/kWh in 2024), which would result in approximately 4% increase in emissions in our facilities emissions. 6.4. Heating Degree Days Heating degree days (HDD) is a way of quantifying energy demand to heat buildings based on outside temperatures. During colder winters with more heating degree days, it is anticipated that energy consumption for space heating (i.e., natural gas), and the associated GHG emissions, would be higher. There were 4,174 HDD in 2022 (8% increase from 2016 at 3,856HDD) and Table 2 notes a 4% increase in natural gas consumption and emissions. 2023 had 5% less HDD compared to 2016 and correspondingly 4% less natural gas emissions. In 2024 there were 3,179 HDD (-9% to 2016) and a 12% decrease in natural gas consumption and emissions. This indicates Page 152 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) the significant impact of variations in the annual weather on the changes observed in natural gas emissions. 7. Threats to reaching our reduction target When we set our corporate baseline year in 2016 the carbon intensity of the Ontario electricity grid was low. The carbon intensity of the Ontario energy grid is now increasing. A 4% increase in Kitchener facilities emissions is anticipated for 2025. This anticipated increase is due to a more carbon intense electricity grid in Ontario that has resulted in increasing emissions factors for electricity. While positive changes to the electricity grid have benefited the City of Kitchener's emissions in the past, this is not anticipated into the future. There has been a 2% reduction in corporate GHG emissions annually since 2022. This has occurred despite growth in our service delivery to the community. If we were to extrapolate based on historical data alone, and try to predict the future, one might conclude that we are on track to reach the short-term target of an 8% reduction by 2026 from the 2016 baseline year. Historical trends however are not predictive. Several external factors outside of our control (see section 6) threaten our ability to reach our 8% GHG reduction target, including variation in energy consumption and heating degree days. When looking ahead to our 2025 reporting, it is probable that there will be an increase in overall corporate GHGs. The first months of 2025 were marked by significant cold weather and heavy snowfall. Energy use for both space heating in our facilities and snow clearing is anticipated to be higher than previous years. Despite modest, incremental emissions reductions to date, we cannot confidently state that these reductions will be sustained into the future. 8. Calls to Action Focussing energies where we can, to make an impact on corporate GHGs is the best way to protect our organization from external threats and disruptions while building resiliency towards meeting our long-term net -zero goal. Our capital and operating decision-making today needs to prioritize deep GHG reductions. We need to prioritize the 3 pathways of energy conservation, fuel switching, and generating renewable energy. Lastly, continued advocacy to other levels of government and industry to support these pathways is important. 16 Page 153 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) 9. Appendices 9.1. Appendix A— Corporate GHG Inventory - Methodology & Adjustments 9.1.1. Methodology GHG emissions have been calculated using consumption data collected from utility bills for electricity and natural gas, and from FLINT for fleet fuels. Table Al below outlines the emission factors used to convert consumption data into GHG emissions for 2024. The most up to date emission factors published by the Governments of Canada and Ontario have been used. For staff travel, an average emission factor based on a variety of makes and models was used. Table A 1 - Emission Factors Energy Source Unit Emission Factor K CO2e /unit Electricity kWh 0.03 Natural Gas m3 1.93 Biodiesel 5 L 2.70 Diesel L 2.71 Ethanol Blend 10% L 2.24 Gasoline L 2.32 Propane L 1.54 Electricity L 0.03 Staff Travel km 0.19 Waste mt 481.70 9.1.2. Assets in GHG Inventory To track and report on our Corporate GHG emissions consistently from year to year, it is important to have a well-defined inventory of assets and sources that are included and updated in corporate GHG reporting. Table A2 below outlines the assets and sources reported on in each focus area. Table A 2 - Assets and Sources included in GHG Inventory 17 Page 154 of 177 Sources Focus Area Facilities 85 facilities All on -road heavy, medium, and light duty vehicles and off-road Corporate equipment (loaders, backhoes etc.) that use 6 different types of fuel. Fleet & Given the process by which small handheld equipment is re -fueled, it is Equipment difficult to accurately track their fuel consumption and therefore handheld equipment is not included in the GHG inventory for fleet. Streetlights Outdoor Streetlights Waste Waste collected from city facilities and street level / park waste receptacles including large Moloks. Staff Travel Staff mileage claims for work-related, personal -vehicle use. 17 Page 154 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) 9.1.3. Adjustments Fleet Data This report includes adjustments to the 2023 data as it was presented in the DSD -2024- 074 Report. In this report 2023 Fleet & equipment data attributes have been updated. At the time of reporting 2023 data, the FLINT database was undergoing an update which resulted in fleet attribute changes. These changes resulted in vehicles not being included in the 2023 corporate GHG calculations. As a result, the adjustments in this report include adding previous vehicles omitted in the original 2023 calculations reported. Table A3 indicates the changes to the 2023 fleet data as reported in this 2024 report. Table A 3 - Fleet & Equipment Data Adjustments Category Previous 2023 Updated 2023 Difference Data Data GHG emissions 3,692 tCO2e 3,848 tCO2e 4% (tCO2e) Vehicle Count (on & 580 648 10% off road) Small Equipment 549 570 4% Count These adjustments result in approximately 4% more emissions in this fleet category and 157 tCO2e total corporate emissions. The major finding in the 2023 report, however, remains true that growth was experienced in the focus area and this expansion has not resulted in commensurate growth in corporate GHGs. The decoupling of growth and GHGs in this focus area remains true for 2023 and 2024 data. Global Warming Potentials In March 2024, the Climate Change and Environment Committee passed a motion "that the CCEC supports the recommendation that for future GHG reduction project analysis [global warming potential] GWP 20 emission factors (as it's amended) be used to calculate GHG emissions, in place of GWP 100." GWP 20 emission factors are useful when looking at the impact of GHG's that have a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere, such as methane (CH4), while GWP 100 emission factors focus on gases with a longer lifetime, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2). Following this recommendation, staff investigated making this switch and have decided to not move forward with the use of GWP 20 emission factors. The rationale behind this decision is in part due to the prominence of CO2 in the City of Kitchener's corporate GHG emissions, as well, to stay consistent with larger organizations for reporting purposes. While natural gas usage plays a large role in the City of Kitchener's GHG emissions, when burned, it mainly releases CO2. The main CH4 emissions from natural gas are a result of leaks during Page 155 of 177 CorCAP 2.0 — Pivot: Net -Zero Annual Update (2024) transportation and storage, which is considered an upstream emission, and is not within the scope of the City of Kitchener's Corporate GHG inventory. In addition, continuing forward with the GWP 100 emission factors will allow the City of Kitchener to stay aligned with the reporting frameworks we have committed to report to annually, including the Sustainable Waterloo Region Impact Network and Partner's for Climate Protection. M Page 156 of 177 N O N O 4.10- D D (o C 0 a� N Z 0 ,AV zo 7-8 IT c a CL Q N 6 0 N C j 0 O U 0 U 0D ) U' N E �, 01— U cB (a 4- ui �_ :3 O U Q M (� N N a% O L C: co fn � Q .� L% .� O o _ .�_ o v E o CO U) (n Q•� •- c Q rr nn V Q O V a> j,o �' E a� ct)_ E U ai 0 o° o Q Q C cn�^� o 0� L U U C Q Q Q ,� 0 C (n (D 0 " r Qi �' N O "0 Q LL (n -0 V Q -0 V Q �� 3 Q . c.i m U UCL4L LL QQ QQ O o— a�—� .I..., _a) LLm (n m en w :3 4-- U Q O QQ (n M>1>1 � O 0 (n U Q E O 0) U � VO— LL C o> _ > o > _O 0O`�Eo U � _f�y�ami+,1, > O :I) •��+ f 0 CD (6 ,k _.� 0 E Q Q E Q r WQQQU -0 xHmQC � " 0WCEM .)O QN O U Q U CN N OMO0 L) 'r. - V U 0 0U CD U UU M rnU ao co m N CY) OM�M Y (D O ' N �. 00 C ..rNti O — 00 O M o \ 17 O N 00 E>- O uj Q cQ Qj � N O LO 00 I— p 00 O N •� L� a r H} Co 06 y + ) m LL EP (D 0 W N -0 N 70 V -0 U Ur (� U � W O D O p r M O M-0 m-0LL N C m (n CD O"O CU � OO U' N 0 o Q E> Q° a� Q •Q >% C E W m- cca m F u C a. U 'v O O C O E O •� O E O >� C C> o O Q BULL C O O C 'C U HUW HwU) HWUQ QW� QU O0 - O a o o O o o O O Q Q. Q Q. Q. Q Q U U U U U V U 0 N N O N O 4.1 cv 0- D D (o C 0 a) N Z O ,all 0 N U L 0 U C L V U) E C M (� '(n a) - (6 — C > 0 O U) a) L O 4- a) co m_a C L) O L m J U m -_ N (3)U () >' U N (n C45 (n \OZ5 a) a) a) L U cn M — Vu) E -(n `� C. Y (n a) (n cn a) C a) (n LL N m L= C (� O m V U U) U M .- • >. O OU E a Q O> a) (1) a) ui m O � +. in > (B 0 Q > a) > > � T O .2-0 � W U X a) U C,. x (D (� c CO U) ! � m U O m a > p C o C) 2 (wi—) O U)) (n �_ a) . a) UO o � N (Q L _ y C� un E\ E m _O c� `—�� > _ O t � U O " E C X J a) M O �� (D to 0 0� a) U O Q v7 } a) 0�> M `� W E o W Y M= (n (a U C .� � E o ON �oN 3o o�'� (� C E O = \ N �, U L � a) O � O O Lr M (n C a) t6 Fu c O = O — (D�Ua) U- 42 O �O a)U a) » O Q- -Q (n 0 �Q0 E � Y N O N / n '� V � n V -1 i N O co ti M 00 T T CD (D C� 0�0� � .-. T O)COL()N�CONOOON C) )M a) It L I` Lo 000 co LLo LO "= Mffl�f,OCO00O-) ,1 LO CO LC) r- Lj Ln T 00 OT�N(�NO LO � _ 00 :: C7ML(�001�(f?TM MtiI�O M O `� M Ccr)r CO O 69- TCO (n V). I- � 07 LO CO U-) COON T E (0 ti a0 (f} a) co 64 �ffi •• NLy UjLn C4 00 M a) O N 1 a) o a) C E U U C N r a) i o o \ (n (6 p 0 Q m U Q (6 a) QU76 O _O (n_•N- O =3 O O OO U) cn T a) O N O (J p. o W U -T W m d H op m W H � m Z O .0 Ow O W W O N m n p v 'L O>> D M c U U i Com-+ O m y.., (n O U� C a) a) — a) C NO LL O W>, H a a)E E `� E a) J (n (n U ca �. a) C7 = O O L O �. . E C C C C n U) U - Li a) N a) Q Q C C C C C y od 0 ad(D od(D od a) ad( � O E "r E "r E "r E "� E ~ O V LL a LL S LL S LL a LL S LL W W W W W N O N O 4.10- D D co C C C O N Z O ,all ti ti O N O N Lo r N O m 0- X 0 O) E U1 :E U C- - N CL 4— i Q0 0� C X C U C^U' U X O Q0 O E (nC O } — C ,� O •. U cOn V cOi' C >+ O C > C 1p — O OU O ( H 2 v _ N E rn� (D4 r (D (Dco N O aN a) aN CD Ln o� co�O C�C��O N UOU N N aN °�0 co �O O co OU cn NQVU+J M M Lo CI O Ln (D00 O } C 0 N : Q NO a) N� P,- (n CQ r-- C-0 "t��N�U X00b -"U,0U00OM U M M p 0 to Lti C�MMm (n E O N N N (A Lo (D (noorn •� N T E N CO 4 N O `� N "� N .. O Ln N Ln C +� O O r RT N M N m N _O 0(n�= (OLn iii m "- ) UQ O M� O N L 0 p U O O O iri U C cU6 (B O O 0 O iii "- U O fn 0 .� p (D N N N C O0 U) � L- O7 � () V P LU p C (n LL co U LU Oa) Q m 06d Q 1 73 06 c_na) N i p� .0 O A E LL E (Q Q (D Q 'C E LL O J N O U)a U Q (, N QU U N V � � •U � U N (nm LLcn LL> C L y, (n (n O U U (D O L) U O W LL (D (D W LL C> d LL LL LL LL LL ti ti O N O N Lo r N O m 0- N O N m 0- D 0 c a 0 a� N z 0 ,all O N a U O U O Q OO O N Z 'a 0 N IL U L O U O c� E m cn x Cf) N o oo C L cn N cn 0 N CO O -0 o N 70 -- Q) CD N Q> Q> LO (np N N +� Q z p Y Q N N V U Em Em E U 2E00�mm .s 0 p� o� Z� 0- � co 2o E E 'L .5 C 0 � O L _0 (n O -0 cn O W O M p z m 0 0� 0O IL 0�-0 0�-0 w o� a) LU p E o L) "c E o M, C J> U U LL 0_ C co N) U 0.�:0 o E H0_ca D o E H 0a COf30a) >(a.E-0 EU c V L L L L L L L ,O � c� _� cn _� � N � U) p p p O L J N J N J O J N 0 c c c 0 �E �E �E �E y J 2U U M U M U LL M LL Co LL M LL M c o a� a� ti ti o ti a� Q 0 0 0 EO 0 E N N N o U U CD Q Q LO CD 3 Z Z 0 N 0 N 00 cm o 0N i �, r 4- O (� (D °�0 ma)M 0> O- 0�� E ��O�Ecn _ ��� z O Q E �'0,M C) 0 o 0�a�0_M M O)0 cOj)z >+ U'U� > >+ °�� -L— UOp�Mo U.��-cac�am a�� UW�a N -0. U E 0_ cliZC W N a N a) L0 Q 0 0 U 0 (6 m m m LL LL LL U— Cf) N N O N O 0- D D C a O L N z O rail O N a U L O U C: O ami _0 N O C:cB N �' O U 0 4- O E a) N UB Ca)�—O NC E N C NC: (a O C:L N L (6 m N U N V) +� O U U E U N N U) (a _o O /�� CL cn 700) _ (n U) U Q cn N OU L O Q Q C +� — � ccm - . � O a O O c6 C _ N Q U U N > > U) (a c0 � s +� O •— m.c�o! _>' U °a a U) U U 00) E 0L cn O L -�e U) O -�e U) Z3 a)O >> J N U J N J N m T E T E T) E E L } N tf O O }'O O D% U MU 01 M O7 U M O) U Co CL LL M LL M LL M CU C LL M V/ U) O O O O O N N N N N a a z z o 0 0 N N N i c�� E TW E(n NU O 0).— 0- � 5 O E m O m o) O OWN N O O •C > O 'O E U � O t! (U6 CQ U W L (B O O U -=_ W .0 (Q U> U) E O � /0 + V 0 O O 0 O �CD 0- L6 22(n c6LL2iHQU I-�Umin y a0 0- U) Q of N a) W U U U U U m m m m m LL LL LL LL LL N O N 4) 0- D D C C C a 0 N Z 0 ail O N a U L O U � W °' L) a) v M � 0) M LL�� 0_ . �� cB O a) a,���� D) C ° O) o a) ca a) co ° o 2' E (n LL y" Qi L Q O a 0) --' (6 (n i a) m O Q C O U) L (0 C` (B O_ O E L w 0 L O o` U) a >0 O L) a) > a)>, ° . 0 (L) Co Z 0+ ZaL (6 (0 Z� LLY aa) �H V a� C L L a) 0 0 L L a) 0 0 L L a) 0 0 -0 � U) U � U m a)° J Y �aD0 J) Y Z3(D° J Y U � C C v, a) (n (D 0 a) L q) E 2 E 0 a) a) a) Cl) U C0 M U M CU C LL (B M C LL (a (6 C LL M 2 2 2 N (.0 N N O O O O C14 C14 C14 coC14 N N N O O Cl O 04 CN CNL cu m m o (v cB o 0_ a) a c w 0_ co O O _O w O N > U) (1) U > a)�aCY)i E >0)Ea�i N M a'o� O Or (B U NM O +L+ M o r a r LL a U r LL 0 in r U (n U U U U LL LL LL LL N O N m 0- D D C a O L N z 0 ail O N U 0 U N N N CO O N C O p TZ3N Q.�� O N O N (n O L c: O E Q Z3 76 N O > O U -_ j O _0 EKY O N 0 L)3: O O N C cB O O Q fn .� O U) Q O O L Q Co O M� 0 O Q >, 00 Q 07 c0 /O U a O LL . /O� U O 0 O z 0 -0 0= (D 0 N N O a) O O O O O N CoJ N Y J N Y J N Y m J z m J m J � c Q :tf Ca a) LL a) LL U) V (B V M\ M C L - \ N _O LL LL 0) 0) 0) 0) Q Q O O N O 00) O O O O C O N c c U U IM 0) N cosN Q N o o Q O O z O 0) 0) z N N N 0= c O O "ON D C No O 7 m (D L 1� LL +� m N N N O m O :tfU U Q- O_ q --O y - c (� O p0 C O 5--0 p M m C N a> M a) a a) U � ca 0 6 3: 0 (fl Gln I� Q� m 06 > N "C: = O a) O Q O> C C C C cn a a a xs E xS E xs E off E n a n CL LL LL LL LL LU LL LU LL LU LL LU N O N 0 0- D D c a 0 N O Z O rail O N a U 0 U oLO +� (n >, N (D co U�}'J co N Q (a N 0 EnO : O +. j O N U 73 o O U N Ncmc6 N p — Q >, C Q � E t] LL UO (n (n U = E E w c 0 _U L O N. C p L N Q�(n w U L� U N U 0 �•Q� _0 0) L C Q (Q x o (6 O �_ ai + aL U U 0 O O o c 0 > U (n _0 c + >+ Z m "O O O U mW N (n (0 (Q >+ O- O] p W w O O w (nM.tn U O � c c6 � E O)o> O �� > O O m OJT Q= '� c 0) u) E7o70 O Q >+O � C > O Q -0 O m .O Q' -- O 0 C U O .- 1 O N '� m U�cq�> O Uca}?�U C:>O wa)ca O >--cOcu0E O U N U (D N U L O CB O (� J J J 0 m W N W N C� CD U LL N LL N N O ( �. O LL LL = _O LL U) _(D LL 07 O) 01 01 C C C.0 s c O O N O O O> O7 O 0) C C N C O O O O O7 � Q a LO Z Z oN 0) 0) O O O O L OL) CD cn co N '0 p N N a) E U N 0 O o U M L N U O Q O - •� a > L C •L O > N . N N CT c U w� N U � ca E. W U U °Q� > a _ U o a> E C) C) o- Q _O _O LLQ 04 (n �� N'� -_O o N N O NLLOr- NLLW W N O N N N o6 E o6 E o6 E o6 E o6 E Q Q Q Q LL W LL W LL W LL W LL W N O N 4) 0- D D C a 0 L a) N Z O ri7 O N a U 0 U X a) Q � a) N > O L L -0 O YCB0 �a) N �_Lm +� w 0� V) OO 70 -0 cm-0_mC> L O 0 N Ln Q CU 0 _N •� a Q � •� O Q U a) > � C W c6� 0 O a) a)Z }, C O>O O m0 Q- U a) �. I O U -0 a) >' C O M a) a) O O O� J Vi a) N> U N .� L N C C U U U) Qw C OL Q� Q a) m O O Q LL O a) m _O a) U � -a E LL cn L) U d ch Lo LL 0— U > ca U U U > WN > co >,WN m m m J Lf) LC) O O T (D (D N N LL LL LL 01 � LO N N O N O O O 0) O 0) N N C N C 0 0 C � O O /^.` 1t1 O) N N ,I1 0) N N L m "O Q O L m "O co Q O O N O O U) U) N ON oN O O U U > 0 a) 0)0 O N L O c O Wm +� LL O 0 U) a) 0 N N N a) a) a) m m C O 0 CO O E 77 > •� O a) m > C 0,-,- U)m �U a) C)- (n U M(n cB co U) M V a) 0 C M CO NUa�a ti C �• NU) U) 00 N C N i m O O N L O (n M )> M a) a) (D a) a) Q LL w LL w LL w LL w LL W N O N O 0- D D c a O L N O Z O ri7 O N a U 0 U N m C p �, UCL Q i N N fn p 0 0 p O O 0-0 Q L = -0 CY O1� O O N O O O -O LL i OV L �, O �, p L 0 L� C (� N E� L 0)70 O .0 M� (D O p m >, E 0 Q — •M N - cn O U) O CU O V) Cf) U M 0 >'0i 0) N } Q>0- cm � a O O �CLJ 0�)+09 0 m O>C N -0 tn N O 0- c� �0 C:C (a :3 O CO -r- w m E E >, .LD-- P CA C X a E O N Co �' C c U M c V m C M a Um JLuN m JLuN L•LjN 0 'U _O N _N LL LL LL U) 0) O7 c LO s CO O N O N 0) O m O N N O O O1 O1 LO Q0 O N O N O O N N O O O O� N N C: 4-- O O O U C>, N N :3 -0 O m m L >, M "- O O +� 0-0 N +� M O N O >, } 0)— V 0 O U 0 i O O O O O C N L 0 cn U O (6 N Ca N +' M >, m� O U L M > y> --i V� L O y--� E 75 L M= U w v M co " U > co m O O N N N N N CL CL a a- .5 LL W LL W U- W U- W N O N 4) 0- D D c a 0 L N Z O ri7 O N U 0 U 0 oU)o a)0 U) =>min ai -0(n CD ooa) > " ~ w O �_ U O E� C 0 co N% >O CU p a) to N O +U. Q O N o O O O +' O (n ON N N >, O O E (n �U) to V +� L O i �1_� (6�- 0 c U c Q E O� 0 J a) L a—>,- -00) �o E_a'�o� 0 E O O -a O "_ a) -0-0 D `� O m a) E a) c) m m m c) cCq L O O a) Ec6 a) _ o°)�=3 >' UEmo�,"Z3 i6 O E O (�6 O O O E to a) L Q U— :3 Cf) 0 - -c cu C6 a) 4) 'C: -0 C: \ cu 5 a) -0 (6a) CU C: m C c6 'i C O _>% L C'L C6 � 'i m C'i M L a .0 .U) Q 2 a�U L) LL U� o M U L 0 C6 U M U cu � O u � m � � U) U) O N O O O O O O O N O O O LO N O O O N O O O a) a) U) � O O- O 6 a) a) N a) U c m o Q E (n (L6 a) > E > L Q O U a) O U o N L U 0 Co m O U c 0 �U) CL a) c6 LEo 0 ��Q m>a co OU Ewa _ co —j 0- o 0-m O a) a) m m cu cu 0- n n n L L L L O O O 0 U U U U ^ N O N m 0- D D C a 0 L a) N z 0 ,all 0 N U 0 U L 0 a� 4 _ — = L fn E 0 L LQ _ ° '`n cB w' a y o Co U) o U E +' O O Ln M-0 -0 O a) U D O7 C (D O_ 1 N _0� O >N 0•� � O 0 E� Q z 0 0 O 0 U O •� O= (u -0 +, L° N~ � ?� cnz Nco O a) O N � a)>,U — C cn a) N C (6 — M C C "' N� m Co O o U = (n 0 "- O7 u) 0) a) m _ Q } caE (.o a)- O O� O 0-0 (n 0) a) Q a) U) a OOo C C C O (n c_n O Q c_n ° Co W H O (Q -0 a a H L (n H L LL n C (� aD 'C \ m a� a� 'L \ c ai ° •L \ m (a a� o \ co m (D � a> 'L L m C-0 co 'C C m C m C-0 M 'C M C L m C-0 C m 'C C m C (6 C C M 'L m m m a�.9.2�_ UL UL UL ULL 06 � a) M U � a) Co U � a) M U � a) Co U � a) M U TO • V O> C •— C •— C •— � •— C •— � .— co m O C U U) U) U) O7 O7 O7 07 Q O O O O N EO ° U O O O O N Q o 0 0 o Q z z O O O O L 0 O a) 0 >. Y L L 0 Z�m0 U�C �0U)E �° z � Oo (n �0a� C��O C.�a �(D �a> Q Z L UC> C C n (n M O EE L>/) SL 5 O O OC O o L- (n CU - E E a m O=) -U oaU) LL CL oco 4) N (D a) a) a) L L L L L L O O O O O 0 U U U U U U N O N 4) 0- D D c a 0 L N 0 Z 0 ,all q N U 0 U -�e C: C: a) -C 0 a) a) o L L- U�: O N> O Q U u 0)4— (D Q 0-0 O)i (n .�_ (n (D U M 0OY� O O C: +•. O L 70 �_ L a) to O Q �' W-0 C M C O 0 U .0 "O U 0- 0 L L O C (6 O L fn (O �+ N U O� U -0 m E U N U Q M M 0 c LL 'U 70 M C +� 07 O � (n C LL >+ U U Com- 0) ,2 U) C "- _� LL O a) a) C: cu (a .O c0 co U) o coEE� c)0 (���•�•�0)m m0-0 m 0Y� o-0.E.E� z E Q 0 �� LLL��mxs OO O 0 L 0 0 cn C C L Z3 a) >> L N U ry, _ 0 O Lu cm oU 0EMo S _ a -o a) U O7 am mO m p s 0 L 0- LL N U) O O7 O7 N O O O 0) 0) N O O Q Q Q Z Z Z 2 c OZ Uo �� N-0 O Z) MQ L a) O mNZ3 a) E�� "' O Q a) O c (n O C U O V () •(� N L a� U O U Q / 1 M > M NT W U 0) m U a) (D a) n n L 0- L L- 0 O O 0 U U U (D U) N � m U E L U co L 0 0 - CL Q a) V 0 U) > :3 m cu N 0 N U 0- D D C a 0 L N Z 0 ail 0 N a U L 0 U M co Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Financial Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Scott, Chief Procurement Officer PREPARED BY: Ryan Scott, Chief Procurement Officer WARD(S) INVOLVED: N/A DATE OF REPORT: April 25, 2025 REPORT NO.: FIN -2025-218 SUBJECT: Summary of Bid Solicitations Approved by the Chief Procurement Officer (January 1, 2025 — March 31, 2025) RECOMMENDATION: For Information REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to provide a quarterly update on Procurements that have been approved through delegated authority in accordance with the Procurement By-law 2022-109. • There were thirty (30) bid solicitations approved in this quarter. • This report supports the delivery of core services. BACKGROUND: In accordance with Procurement By-law 2022-109 (Chapter 170 Municipal Code), section 27.1. "The CPO must submit quarterly procurement information reports to Council to provide the following information about the City's procurement activities: a) The circumstances and details of approved procurements exceeding $133,800 in value, under delegated authority of the CPO; and b) the circumstances and details of any emergency purchase(s) with a procurement value exceeding $133,800." REPORT: Attachment 1 is a listing of the approved bid solicitations for Council's information. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 171 of 177 STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: All bid solicitations awarded by the Chief Procurement Officer, were within approved budgets, or were approved in accordance with the budget control policy. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter. APPROVED BY: Jonathan Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services Department ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 — Listing of Approved Bid Solicitations January 1, 2025 — March 31, 2025 Page 172 of 177 Ln N 0 N T M t L I Ln N O N r Y m 0 m v O N m i.! Q Q O _y J I O E V m 4.0 ij i OO �ti y O 00 O O O O O O O O CA 00 O O 00 M O O U') = 0 f` 1` M CD L(-) Li) } E,z 00 O 06 � E N LO ch r, C It 0 a)Q �{} N N It co (D co 0) CO 7 00 � O N M :3 0') Lf) .a 2 69 69 6F} 69. 613- 69 _0 0 ( K} -O O 69 3 O O 3 x c Q W E o 0 0 0 o E o o o C) c g O.S O O L6 L6 0� " O O C N 3 O a) O M_ CD O O a) O Lf) a) E 69 -0 O 69 69 UFl coco r 69 _0 O 00 ER 70 O Efl C C C U- w w a3 L ° L O cn U T) O — a) 0.° E c C O m E J O U 0 O C o f _O O_ _O _O U J 0— C O fa i .0 o E O o � O���c�c �p Oa° 0 a)0 N Ec°o0o000° O��aS�03�c�0 >O�° ca °Ove w c�a co ��° ��° �� p ° Co =3 =5 E QEO w E E Q O �, �, 0 a� _ 0 ai _ 0 a� _ 0 o _ �U Lo c6 (nn U cn m <, � m p cn 1= 0 0•> c o U o m � C O- E E E _ E O 0 E _ U°> o 0 O 0 U O= cQ •— O CO O fa O (a LB O (6 U a) — m ca U U w (a !_ ° cn co E L L O E O U° _ 0 O OC a) U H rn 0 m L ° E ca — Q Q cn a� 0 L ° x w ° �U � w a`ni U CO L = O 2 ./, 0 cn .L E U V. = `)co C Z 4- cn -t Y ��— 0 cB C--0 v C U cz U) O a) a3 c c a) cn O (n U ~ v>, o E 0 Ofl�L N O O V U a) c c c (n a) CO m e 0 U) (nE E E a) 0 2�ca�.. cuO — U U U U � N> 0� �� c ca ca c0.) ca ca o m N U � 0 o � p�. �/�� vJ !z .L U N c C 0 M U)" a) O cn _ cn �: �N/ I f_ tea)) Lf_ E tea/% ry tea)) r.i ° x 0 (n Q Co r0^ V, Q O Q m O O E O O-0 0 0 '� N o U O d 0 0- L) � U) 0 0� 0 0 of 0 0� �Q 0 J �UO2NC�WU c6 0 X U C O � � LO � � CD fD Ln N V Nt LU[) O CO (D I` O O 0N cn N N N N N N N N N N N a a a a CI 0 a rl O a 0 a 4 a) co 00 ti LO o Il_ o cm 4 C� LO O o O 00 It L() (D ti (Y) L Lo (N L r- O o It 1 1 C T V J � zy LQ Q .E .E C) 4 Cc CD It r L() 0) "t & O (Y) CD co ti 'T CO O N 07 co 0� �} : Cfl C0 (f> M 69- I- C4 69, 6G. O L() {{} � p 60- rl_ �? N N N (D a) 69- 60- 60 Efl H} O O 0 0 OO O O O O C' O O-O O O O O O O OC OC O O d7 O O Ln C0 O L() O CO O N Lf) M M N CO O CO N O N O 07 O Q co m (D N N M O O O Q 00 N � O EH N 60- EA N O� O� O EH 6F} :3 bF} ff} ER b`i :3 :3 :3 LL LL LL LL � c 0 (a v7 a a) C Nto N (Q O -0 U) (n J O Q J (6 O O O p C3 L O +� J U L X O (Q (Q +. C U ,� U U (n � O _ �- z O } O CO)U (0 E O J .O _ (� X N _ J O - i L w (Q O C J •p U - O J (B +- (B L W M Q .o L m +. +� L N p (u U _O L M (a W L C (0 �L �`�o(a�(nLU (o (n > ^ 0>(D .� m c 0 Oa�JO--0,-c�} — c � c Q o c �O o02�� M ID o �� a� oW L� '- U) a,m �QU �� N N O W ��Oa >' o a C (n Q> p C c 0-0 (B O= N W 6 O 0 N 0 O -Q �o N LU m N� O i Lu.N O CU6 O 0 O O NHJft, i--J(oJJ m(n(n aP- P- -i �U o-i o N C � C N p E O E O O I L 4---.2 O U C-6 D (B O TLL 2=3(n c� a a) L Qi L v7 U 0 L)Q O O (6cn i C O 4) >' = d � c) "� OU N C O L .0 U O O O U L CQ O N 0 0 p E U �- O CO CO Y O �- U)O Y O U U O C:0) p Q O IL 0 0 I , N O O i (o U o Fn i ;� ��? -an a rye U U U n�n♦♦U� /� QS O (n L N N O � N L N �n W' O C > O (n U N >+ N� O C I N� m a O N p N U a,oc Lm pO>�0a)o�N� L- 3 N pay H 0 (nW U) US O -t U)cu N m > L 0) ` �O O ON >,O->LOpMOL p > 00 0 0 C (6 O U w 0cn�--CD0-aJU2o m U- 00 N M O M M Cp f-- O� 0) O? M Ln (D 00 CD O? O 9 O 9O O O Ln N O 9 Lo N r N U) N Ln m ((j Ln Q Lo Q Lo m Lf) L() m Q N N (y N a N d N N N N N 0- o o 0 a LL 0 LL 0 0 0 a a LL � � 0 LO P- m � E � 41 0 % S C 2 0 % 0 c ? ¥ q � It (Y) 6r> E E 0 R @RR @R � I CN / � a) 0 % 2 k 60- 60 :0# 20 U U- � c � / / w - § 2 f . / •§ o 0 0 2222\ % �_-± 0003 2 "'3 m22 °°°O.?o%B=-0 E ± § = E o0��U)moo(n\3 2 £ E \ - ¢.x �- 0 / 2 ƒ £ \ m § 2 in \ 2 k« ±2NM-1 2 2\ E o� 0- 0 E o e 0 b 2 v U E =5 I m 75 U) C % m-0 EE k U) 0 V) ± L- y C-) - S 5 § g 0 § £ U 2 2 3 t 6 o L 2E2/ m_ c cu _0 7 E ® =3a 3 a \ /�2: w wa-m0�U m C Cl It n 'T % \ 9 9 f LL LL 0 a a � � 0 LO P- m � E � Staff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: April 28, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Anna Marie Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer, 519-783-8970 PREPARED BY: Anna Marie Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer, 519-783-8970 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward(s) DATE OF REPORT: March 5, 2025 REPORT NO.: DSD -2025-106 SUBJECT: Waterloo Region Community Energy (WRCE) 2024 Progress Report RECOMMENDATION: For information REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a 2024 WR Community Energy progress report • This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. BACKGROUND: The energy transition is a critical priority related to community resilience and affordability. WR Community Energy (WRCE) is a collaboration between the Region of Waterloo; the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo; Enova Power Corp., GrandBridge Energy, and Kitchener Utilities. WRCE plays an important role in coordinating strategic energy investments in Waterloo region. In 2024, as its role as an independent voice and energy transition facilitator became clearer, WRCE incorporated as a non-profit. This new structure allows a focus on deepening partnerships, evaluating systems -wide benefits, and ultimately driving investments. Senior municipal and utility leadership in the collaboration's governance; and strategic participation and investment from other sectors is key to navigating the complexities of a successful energy transition and responding to innovation and the need for community affordability. WRCE is in its fifth year as an organization. It is currently focusing on local thermal energy development. REPORT: This 2024 WR Community Energy information report focuses on: 1. Sharing a vision of generating half of distributed energy from local, clean, and equitable sources (based in several years of studies, discussions, and analysis). *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 176 of 177 2. Demonstrating how to align local energy supply with demand 3. Highlighting two local projects: A. High Performance Development Standards (HPDS) and B. Low -Carbon Thermal Strategy By leveraging existing technologies, scaling them across the community, and aligning with economic development trends, this region's collaborative and innovative spirit can make this vision a reality and help our community meet its 2050 climate targets. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: This report has no financial impact at this time. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: none APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services Page 177 of 177