HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2025-11-05
Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee
Committee Minutes
November 5, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Schmalz Room - Second Floor City Hall
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present J. Stephens-Wells, Member
C. Abarca, Member
J. Young, Vice Chair
K. Brabazon, Member
L. Thompson, Member
L. Terry, Member
L. Trumper, Member
R. Gill, Member
T. Glover, Chair
Staff: S. Sweazey, Senior Policy Advisor
A. Remillard, Committee Administrator
Additional Staff: T. Donegani
N. Goss
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1. Commencement
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
3. Delegations
4. Discussion Items
4.1 Completed Project Presentation - Downtown Energy District
Tim Donegani shared a PowerPoint presentation on the Downtown District
Energy project.
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Compass Kitchener Members asked T. Donegani a variety of questions they had
about the project as it related to their evaluation criteria. Questions pertained to
engagement with stakeholders, project timeline and project location.
4.2 Debrief and Review of Downtown Energy District Project Presentation
Compass Kitchener members reviewed and debriefed on the Downtown Energy
District Project presentation using the four Evaluation Criteria categories.
Responsible Project Delivery
Compass Kitchener members noted that the city received a grant for the project,
and while it went over budget and over their timeline, there were valid reasons for
the overruns. It was agreed that the project 'Meets Expectations'.
Impact / Public Value
Compass Kitchener members noted that this project has made a good first step
as it is poised and ready to go, should the right conditions exist. It was also noted
that the project is best suited for new development. The project was completed
with the downtown in mind but can be applied outside of downtown. Compass
Kitchener members agreed under Impact / Public Value, that the project Meets
Expectations as it is good for rate payors if the right environment exists.
Transparency & Communication
Compass Kitchener members discussed whether details about the project were
shared with the general public; recognizing and understanding the restrictions
around transparency and communication that a project like this one poses.
Compass Kitchener members agreed that under 'Transparency and
Communication' the project 'Meets Expectations'.
Public Engagement
Compass Kitchener members agreed the project 'Meets Expectations' under the
'Public Engagement' category as engagement was only viable with stakeholders
involved in the business case.
For next steps, T. Glover asked if members agreed to have a member volunteer
to do the write-up / draft of future projects evaluations to be ready for review at
the following Compass Kitchener meeting. Members agreed.
4.3 Review Presentation for All-Advisory Committee Meeting
Our presentation slides for the All-Advisory Committee meeting were reviewed
and approved by Compass Kitchener members with the following edits:
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on slide 6: change language for clarity from ' During our first term' to
'During the first half of our term'.
on slide 8: name a few projects as examples.
on slide 8: for the second bullet point include: 'Offer reflections on
progress towards strategic plan goals or implementation of specific
strategic plan actions'.
remove S. Kandala from list of Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee
members.
4.4 Review Previous Minutes
Compass Kitchener members reviewed the October 1st meeting minutes.
5. Information Items
5.1 Compass Kitchener Project Evaluation - Downtown District Energy
5.2 Compass Kitchener Draft Presentation - Fall 2025 All Advisory Committee
Meeting
6. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.
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