HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2025-10-20 (not adopted)Council Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
1. COMMENCEMENT
The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the
singing of "O Canada."
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2. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni the minutes of the regular meeting held
September 29, 2025, and special meetings held September 29 and October 6,
2025, as mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted.
3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE
THEREOF
4. COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE - NIL
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Certificate of Achievement
Dan Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer, presented a Certificate of Service to
May B. Vrbanovic acknowledging 30 -years of elected service from 1994 to 2024
as a member of Council.
5.2 Kitchener Blues Festival - 25th Anniversary
Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged the Kitchener Blues Festival for their 25th
Anniversary. Peter Beacock, President, Kitchener Blues Festival highlighted the
growth and success of the event.
5.3 Affiliated Groups Long Service Volunteer Award Presentation
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Avalon Sands, Volunteer Engagement Associate,
presented the Affiliated Group Long Service Volunteer Awards.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic presented the Long Service Volunteer Awards for
neighbourhood associations and minor sports and on behalf of City Council,
thanked them for their valued programs, events and services for Kitchener
residents enjoy.
Mayor Vrbanovic recognized groups in Minor Sports Groups including, Waterloo
Region Artistic Swim Club, 40 years of service; Excelsior Fencing Club; 40 years
of service; South West Optimist T -Ball; 45 years of service; Forest Hill T -Ball
Association, 55 years of service; KW Gymnastics, 60 years of service; KW
Special Olympics, 30 years of service; and, KW Sidewinders Sledge Hockey
Club, 45 years of service.
Mayor Vrbanovic along with members of Council recognized the Downtown
Neighbourhood Alliance for 20 years of service; Cherry Park Neighbourhood
Association for 30 years of service; and, Victoria Park Neighborhood Association
for 50 years of service.
Mayor Vrbanovic on behalf of Council, staff, and the citizens of Kitchener, the
Mayor congratulated all outstanding long service recipients who volunteer their
time and energy to create a positive experience for our residents. Together, you,
and the organizations you volunteer with, have contributed 465 years of service
to Kitchener.
5.4 Certificates of Service and Awards of Merit
Mayor B. Vrbanovic acknowledged the volunteer service contributions of
individual members serving on advisory committees, and boards, including the
following:
• Klas Bockasten and Morgan Garner, Climate Change and Environment
Committee
• Annabelle Girard, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
• Barry Tracey and Matthew Bells, Active Transportation and Trails Advisory
Committee
• Becka Borody, Mary Dever, and Megan Hall, Centre in the Square Board
of Directors
• Douglas Pateman and Robert (Scott) Hannah, Committee of Adjustment
• Alide Fortmanis, Compass Kitchener
• Brandon Van Dam, William Turman and Sandi Castle, Downtown Advisory
Committee (DAC)
• Danny Martin and Avni Adams, Equity and Anti -Racism Advisory
Committee
• Ilona Hermanm and Andrew Portengen, Heritage Kitchener
5.5 Tova Davidson, Sustainable Waterloo Region
Councillor S. Stretch left and returned to the meeting at this time.
Tova Davidson, Sustainable Waterloo Region, presented an update on
Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) and their Update to the Community for
2025. T. Davidson highlighted the 2024 Impacts, shared the key
accomplishments of SWR since 2009 and highlighted their 15 year anniversary.
T. Davidson noted in 2022 Waterloo Region had already made reductions in
greenhouse gas inventory of 12%. T. Davidson further shared some of their
ongoing initiatives and partnerships, including but not limited to: microfest, grow
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with cleantech, organics; ecomagic supertool; and frameworks a building
innovation exchange.
Councillor S. Davey left and returned to the meeting at this time.
6. DELEGATIONS
6.1 None
7. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
7.1 AUDIT COMMITTEE - SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
Moved by Councillor S. Davey
Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis
"That the report of Audit Committee, dated September 29, 2025, listed as
item 7.5.a on the agenda this date, be adopted."
Carried
7.1.a External Audit Planning Report for Fiscal Year 2025, FIN -2025-394
"That the Audit Planning Report for the year ended December 31, 2025
prepared by KPMG, attached as Attachment 'A' to Financial Services
Department report FIN -2025-394, be approved."
Carried
7.2 HERITAGE KITCHENER - OCTOBER 7, 2025
Moved by Councillor C. Michaud
Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman
"That the report of Heritage Kitchener, dated October 7, 2025, listed as
item 7.1.a on the agenda this date, be adopted."
Carried
7.2.a Notice of Intention to Demolish - 11 Irvin Street, DSD -2025-380
"That, in accordance with Section 27(9) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the
Notice of Intention to Demolish received on August 28, 2025, regarding
the property municipally addressed as 11 Irvin Street, be received as
information and that the notice period run its course, as outlined in
Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-380; and further,
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That the City arrange to have the property municipally addressed as 11
Irvin Street properly documented through photographs prior to any
demolition activity."
Carried
7.3 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - OCTOBER 6, 2025
Moved by Councillor S. Davey
Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis
"That the report of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, dated
October 6, 2025, listed as items 7.2.a to 7.2.c on the agenda this date, be
adopted."
Carried
7.3.a Upper Canada Park Public Art Commission, DSD -2025-358
"That the commission and creation of a new public artwork, "The Seams,"
by Javid Jah and his organization JAH Cube, to be installed at Upper
Canada Park as part of the final phase of its current facility improvements,
be approved; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to implement an agreement,
satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with the artist team, outlining the
obligations of the commission, as outlined in Development Services
Department report DSD -2025-358."
Carried
7.3.b Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund, 3 Year Update,
COR -2025-386
"That Council endorse the revisions to the Racialized and Indigenous
Supports for Equity (RISE) Grant funding framework to align with the
evolving needs of equity -denied communities in the City of Kitchener, as
outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-038."
Carried
7.3.c 2025-2026 Gas Supply and Delivery Rates, INS -2025-399
"That Kitchener Utilities' natural gas variable and fixed delivery rates be
approved as proposed in Infrastructure Services Department report INS -
2025 -399 - Attachment 'A', for all Kitchener delivery customers effective
January 1, 2026."
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Carried
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NIL
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 - MAYORAL BUSINESS AND UPDATES - MAYOR B. VRBANOVIC
Mayor B. Vrbanovic highlighted the recent acknowledgements from Federal and
Provincial representatives include the Prime Minister's attendance at an
Oktoberfest event at the Schwaben Club.
10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
None.
11. STAFF REPORTS
11.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11.1.a Dog Designation Process Enhancements, CSD -2025-381
Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston
"That Council approve the improvements to the dog designation process
outlined in CSD -2025-381."
Carried
11.1.b NSP 25-175 Multiyear Non -Standard Procurement Suppliers, FIN -2025-444, FIN -
2025 -444
Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston
"That the City proceed with non-standard procurement and enter into
agreements with the suppliers listed in Attachment 1 for a period of up to
five (5) years, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN -
2025 -444."
Carried
11.1.c Notice of Intention to Designate 2219 Ottawa St S and 808 Trussler Rd
Resolution Amendment, DSD -2025-442
Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston
"That the resolution ratified at the August 25, 2025 Council meeting
regarding the Notice of Intention to Designate 2219 Ottawa Street South &
808 Bleams Road under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act be amended
to delete reference to "808 Bleams Road", as outlined in Development
Services Department report DSD -2025-442; and further;
That the Notice of Intention to the designate would specifically apply to
part of 2219 Ottawa Street South, which is identified as Part of Lot 129,
German Company Tract, being Part 1 on Plan 58R-22352 to facilitate the
designation of a partition of the property with a more accurate
description."
Carried
11.2 FOR INFORMATION
11.2.a Summary of Bid Solicitations Approved by the Chief Procurement Officer (July 1,
2025 - September 30, 2025), FIN -2025-440, FIN -2025-440
12. BY-LAWS
12.1 THREE READINGS
Moved by Councillor C. Michaud
Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider
"That the by-laws be given third reading, namely:
12.1.a To further amend By-law No. 2019-113, being a by-law to regulate traffic
and parking on highways under the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the
City of Kitchener.
(By-law 2025-115)
12.1.b Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 14 Irvin
Street, in the City of Kitchener as being of historic and cultural heritage
value or interest.
(By-law 2025-116)
12.1.c Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 18 Irvin
Street, in the City of Kitchener as being of historic and cultural heritage
value or interest.
(By-law 2025-117)
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12.1.d Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 69
Agnes Street, in the City of Kitchener as being of historic and cultural
heritage value or interest.
(By-law 2025-118)
12.1.e Being a by-law to designate the property municipally addressed as 80-86
Union Boulevard/571 York Street, in the City of Kitchener as being of
historic and cultural heritage value or interest.
(By-law 2025-119)
12.1.f To further amend By-law No. 2010-190, being a by-law to prohibit
unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on private property.
(By-law 2025-120)
12.1.g 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 2025-121)
12.1.h 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.
(By-law 2025-122)
12.1.1 To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for October 20,
2025.
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Mayor
Clerk
(By-law 2025-123)
Carried