HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2025-08-25 SSpecial Council Meeting
Minutes
August 25, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault (virtually)
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
B. Cheyne, Director, Sport
A. Hallam, Manager, Art and Creative Industry
E. Moorlag, Manager of Service Coordination and Improvement
M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
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1. Commencement
A meeting of City Council was held at 3:33 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B.
Vrbanovic. Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of
Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the
Municipal Code.
The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
3. Strategic Session Reports
3.1 Community Grants Review Update - CSD -2025-326
Council considered the Community Grants Review Update, as outlined in
Community Services Department report CSD -2025-326, highlighting a review
that was conducted by an external consultant throughout 2025, aimed to ensure
that the City's grants program remains transparent, equitable, strategically
aligned, and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.
E. Moorlag, Manager of Service Coordination and Improvement, provided an
overview of the report, noting key findings including the Community Grants
Program's ability to provide consistent and reliable funding support for
organizations through community grants and predictable multi-year funding
through the Tier 1 stream. E. Moorlag identified challenges with the current grant
program, including but not limited to: the applicant's effort to apply not being
proportional to the funding provided, issues with strategic alignment and program
structure, and concerns regarding transparency and equity. Mike Crawford,
Mahallam Consulting Group, A. Hallam, Manager, Art and Creative Industry, and
B. Cheyne, Director, Sport, were also in attendance to respond to questions from
Council.
Councillor D. Schnider entered the meeting at this time.
In response to questions from Council, E. Moorlag explained that Tier 1 grants
are not open for direct application, rather organizations may become eligible for
Tier 1 funding after five consecutive years of successful Tier 2 participation.
With respect to benchmarking funding across municipalities, E. Moorlag noted
that the current review focused specifically on the Community Grants and did not
include the City of Kitchener's Love My Hood or Racialized and Indigenous
Supports for Equity (RISE) programs. Staff indicated a willingness to provide
additional information to Council regarding the City of Kitchener Love My Hood
and RISE programs and funding amounts. Staff also advised that, should these
programs be included in future benchmarking, comparable equity -focused
funding from other municipalities would need to be considered to ensure
consistency.
In response to further questions, E. Moorlag acknowledged that many
municipalities separate arts and community grants and suggested that organizing
grants by theme, based on strategic priorities, may improve clarity and alignment.
Additional questions were posed regarding Tier 1 and Tier 2 eligibility and timing.
Staff confirmed that Tier 1 grant information is typically received during the City's
budget process. It was also clarified that in-kind support would not be eliminated
but may be replaced with equivalent cash contributions where appropriate.
Councillors A. Owodunni and Councillor M. Johnston entered the meeting at this
time.
Council emphasized the importance of considering Love My Hood and RISE in
future discussions about competitive funding, given their significance within the
City's grant landscape. Suggestions were made to improve transparency by
publicly advertising grassroots funding opportunities and providing clearer
reporting on how funds are used. Council also recommended distinguishing
between different grant types to assist applicants in navigating the process and
proposed that organizing grants by theme could enhance clarity and strategic
alignment.
4. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic
None.
5. In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councillor D. Schnider
Seconded by Councillor S. Davey
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following
the special council meeting this date to consider a potential land
disposition matter and a matter of solicitor -client privilege as authorized by
Sections 239 (2)(f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively."
Carried
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6. Adjournment
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