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Home My WebLink AboutCompass Kitchener - 2025-10-01 Building a Connected City Together le homes. Planned Dept & Project Planned Strategic ActionDescriptionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion DivisionManagerStart Continue to implement the City’s Housing For All Strategy, working with other orders of government and a -In 2025, the A swaspresentedto council detailing theachievementor broad range of community partners, to ment ofHousing for All’s 44 in Spring DSD enable the delivery of affordable Lucas housing needs assessment, which will in turn 2025. The 2025 Housing Needs Assessment is now complete and is Housing For All housing units in our community by Planning & Van Meer-Jan 2025Dec 2025On Track Implementation being integrated into removing barriers at the City, Mass assessment, the development of Kitchener Housing Policy preparing to launch thenext. advocating on behalf of the City of 2051, and the development of Housing for All to administer the Rental Replacement By-Law. Kitchener; and implementing 2.0. incentives that will enable more affordable housing to be built faster. Implement targeted, strategic infrastructure changes to make big Vision Zero2025hot spot improvements in the safety and Localized -In 2025, the completed . Transportation focus of the ac DSD Connor Safety Jan 2025Dec 2025On Track TransportationPayne July. data-driven and community-guided Improvement l November. The Spring ed Program idened in the Vision Zero Strategy. and social media. Cycling and Trails Master Plan and Vision Zero. Encourage increased use of active Route 1 transportation that connects of this route, which connects TheBoardwalk to DowntownKitchener, City-wide Active neighbourhoods through holistic trail DSD Alison will includeinfrastructure improvements and completedin 2025. Transportation Apr 2024Sept2025On Track and bike route enhancements that are TransportationCarlyle Routes easy to identify, navigate and use for the feasibility of the other routes to all ages and abilities. determine which one should be implemented in 2026. Undertake a comprehensive review of both the City’s Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan in an This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2025, studies for have been integrated way, to update the rules Phase 2 of this action will focus on continued , big ideas and around what can be built in DSD Official Plan Tim Kitchener’s neighbourhoods and Comprehensive Jan 2025Dec 2025 guide engagement, receipt of final deliverables On Track with Indigenous rights holders. sought council’s endorsement of a Planning & Donegani provide more flexible options for how Update from consultant-led work, and drafting of the preferred approach to growth in August. Housing Policy people get around; and including a new official plan. Phase 3 of this action will progress with engagement occurringthis Fall. focus on encouraging missing middle begin in 2026. housing and adapting to climate change. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 1 We follow a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city. We work together to enhance and protect our parks and natural envi-carbon future. We support businesses and residents to make more climate- Planned Dept & Project Planned Strategic ActionDescriptionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion DivisionManagerStart - Synthesis of the cold water ice pilot owned assets, including at least one This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2025, the DSD Anna Marie business case is underway. Pivot: Net-0Jun2025Dec2025 focus of this action will be developing business On Track Cipriani cases on ice making and fleet electrification. - carbon future and build resilience for climate change impacts. and threebodies of work underway. 1) : f This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024-along with tools to assess feasibility and alignment with long-term 2025, the focus is onevaluation of options and 2) Clean Energy INS recommendingbusiness opportunities to On Track Thermal Energy: a Transition Kate DaleyJan 2024Dec 2025 respond to the energy transition. The next phase Strategy of this action will begin in 2026. low-carbon future for Kitchener. now in progress.3) Solar : in - the broader strategic framework. DSD Complete a District Energy business case for the downtown area to explore The business case is complete, Planning & District Energy Tim Jan 2024Aug 2025 This strategic action will be completed in 2025. Complete clean energy opportunities to be a moving forward. Housing Business CaseDonegani leader as a low-carbon city. Policy DSD High performance development standards this strategic Planning & Performance Janine Feb 2024Dec 2025 This strategic action will be completed in 2025.On Track . Development Housing Oosterveld throughout Kitchener which will ensure Standards Policy they are more sustainable. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 2 Dept & Planned Project Planned DescriptionProgress Update Strategic ActionImplementation Notes Completion Division ManagerStart In Spring 2025, the City planted 292 trees along boulevards, including 38 in the Chandler Mowat Community, as part of the Community Canopy Program aimed at improving tree equity in under-canopied and the Implement Council-approved This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024- investments in tree canopy and inclusive approach. 2025, the focus of this action will be tree improvements with a focus on planting City will INS Implement tree planting in areas with low equity scores and more trees, maintenance of existing Hajnal canopy-this Fall. S canopy target Jan 2024Dec 2025 supporting Reep’s private planting program, On Track Parks & trees; i Kovacs from the Green Municipal Fund Growing Canada’s Community plan proactive pruning and maintenance programs, Cemeteries Canopies and creating a forestry and natural areas and businesses to plant and maintain next two years.Block pruning in 2025 is progressing well, with an aim communications strategy. trees on private property. with three contractor crews. The Public early May, the Forestry team gave away 210 free trees to residents in - Phase 1 will include obtaining council approval for the Places component of the Spaces and are resourced,and planning and design Implementing INS s Places’ plan with a focus on the quality actions from strategy, as well as advancing park network Parks & Mark ParrisJan 2025Jun 2026On Track cnt in outdoor courts and of park spaces including infrastructure, Parks master improvements for the following parks: Hibner, Cemeteries environment and design, to encourage plan Breithaupt, Major, Arnold, and Ash Park. strategy have been tagged to appropriate people to spend more me in parks. capital projects to report progress back to council in 2026 and beyond. splashpad improvements at Chandler Mowat Community Centre. DSD Parkland as presented to council on August 11, 2025. A Simon Development to urban areas, with a focus on Acquisition Jun2024Mar2026 This strategic action will be completed in 2026. On Track council in Q1 2026. & Housing Latam Strategy Approvals funding model. This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024- 2025, Phase 1 of this action will establish a INS proceeding with cJune 23, 2025 and Complete a strategy to advance the vision for a Grand River Park, a site inventory will return to cin and assessment of opportunities and constraints, On Track Parks & Carol BaconOct 2023Dec 2025 Park Strategy the Grand River.and recommendations on implementation of Fall 2025. Cemeteries land acquisition. Phase 2of this action will begin in 2025-2026. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 3 -Thriving City Together sts. Planned Dept & Project Planned Strategic ActionDescriptionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion DivisionManagerStart areas (Building, Licensing, Planning, Legal, and Economic Development), was completed in March 2024. The review resulted in open their doors quicker. The review included engagement with Accelerate Facilitate streamlined business DSD Commercial Margaret process and approvals for brick and Complete Sep 2023Apr 2024 This strategic action will be completed in 2024. Business Love mortar retail business across the City. Approvals project is now complete, and a two- developed. ort can be found here. - Implement in partnership with local post- Phase 1 will focus on designing, building, and Design of the Small Business Centre space DSD Health/Medical opening the new WR Small Business Centre A consultant has been selected to Economic Cory BluhmJan 2025Dec 2025 Technology On Track proceed with the environmental and geotechnical work for the Bramm Development development in the medical advancing early environmental and geotechnical Yards. Campus work for the Bramm Yards. Collaborate with Conestoga College This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024- DSD to build a new, leading-edge Creative 2025, Phase 1 of this action will focus on Creative Lauren Progress on the business case has been delayed as Industries school focused on skill Economic Jul 2024May 2026 development of a business case to consider an On Track Industries SchoolChlumsky partners on building and career development in appropriate level of investment. Phase 2 of this Development media, communications, and design. 5. Develop a strategy for events and DSD Special Events & Stakeholder engagement has been completed. A Economic Steve RothOct 2025Dec 2026 d in 2026.On Track resident survey is underway.Public discussions at council areplanned with a focus on residents’ quality of Development Plan for Q4 of 2025. local business, culture and commerce. Approaching the mid-way mark of the 10-year Make It Kitchener 2.0 Make It Kitchener economic development strategy, and Planningis underway to engage a consultant to understand the macro- 2.0 Scoped ; Refresh – DSD Lauren engage key local business leaders and industry experts to gain their Economic Jul2025Mar2026On Track areas of focus be evaluated to Chlumsky; and engage council in Economic Development a strategic discussion on the current areas of focus and any new Resiliency . (CAO-2025-312) required to respond to the current economic climate. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 4 Dept & Project Planned Planned Description Strategic ActionImplementation NotesProgress Update DivisionManagerStartCompletion - -year project. In 2025,Phase 1of enhance business vitality in eveloping Downtown Kitchener. The plan aims is now entering its phase, with early the Downtown Aaron plan with partners and quick wins; to create a welcoming, vibrant -Project Safety & Security McCrimmon Feb2025Dec2025 i-; and ing On Track downtown through targeted business CAO and program leads being Jones support, strengthened enforcement, (CAO-2025-312) . Enhance entertainment venue management by working with key Entertainment DSD Centre. Jeremy stakeholders, businesses and cultural Venue Economic Feb 2024Dec 2025 This strategic action will be completed in 2025.On Track is underway. Commencement of programming expected in September Dueck producers across all City-affiliated ManagementDevelopment of 2025. entertainment venues. Implement the Arts and Implement Arts & in order to grow DSD Stakeholder engagement has been completed. Andrea arts and culture in Kitchener and Economic Oct 2025Dec 2026 d in 2026.On Track resident survey is underway. Public discussions at councilare planned Hallam Development for Q4 of 2025. Plan industries. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 5 Fostering a Caring City Together We We’re healthy and thriving as we easily access the diverse and inclusive programs and services we need to succeed. Planned Dept & Project Planned Strategic ActionDescriptionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion DivisionManagerStart - Pioneer Tower Natural Area. Together, partners involved in the project (Wisahketowinowak Urban Indigenous Garden Coll This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024, reintroduce natural species into the environment. Progress on this intentional and ongoing relationship building Advance Truth COR with Indigenous rights-holders will continue to Jaclyn from . through relationship-building with Complete and Jan 2024Dec 2024 be a focus, with emphasis on delivering EARIIRodrigues Indigenous communities and rights- Reconciliation meaningful actions as identified by and with holders. these communities. and rights-like the Wiijindamaan -bound to the this format allows at . The external engagement phase of the Municipal Newcomer Strategy is now well underway. Since launching in May, more than 650 residents targeted workshops, and pop- Create a strategy for newcomers to This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024- Canada in Kitchener focused on the 2025, Phase 1 of this action will focus on project can enhance newcomers’ access to the City’s services, supports, Municipal CSD role the municipality can play in Olabukonla scoping, an environmental scan and a On Track A working group made up of newcomer residents, Newcomers Jul 2024Dec2025 welcoming newcomers into the Mise community needs assessment. Phase 2 of this Strategy newcomer- action will occur in 2025. needed. , City’s Municipal Newcomer strategy for council’s . APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 6 Dept & Planned Project Planned DescriptionImplementation Notes Strategic ActionProgress Update Completion Division ManagerStart The external engagement process, A Seat at the Table, is now complete. Enhance the City’s engagement A variety of methods wereused to gather input from residents about their experiences with City engagement ideas for overcoming them. Residents also shared their vision for the including more This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2025, future of engagement in Kitchener and provided feedback on the -Phase 2 will focus on an external public Enhance City’s proposed engagement values for the updated policy. The consultant has COR Jaclyn engagement campaign to gather feedback on On Track Engagement Jan 2025Dec 2025 d the input collected through this process and Rodrigues foundational elements of the policy, followed by Practices to promote, facilitate and coordinate drafting the policy for council approval. -building and ng -deserving council’s . This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2024- EDI 2025, Phase 2 of this actionwill focus on Community number and diversity of programs and CSD development of EDI training for affiliated Centre Elin other supports provided at community Delayed Apr 2024Dec2025 neighbourhood associations and development Operating Moorlag of EDI and reinvestment policies for affiliated Model centres located in under-serviced neighbourhood associations. neighbourhoods. August 2025 to December 2025. Refer and revisit as part Review how the City provides direct City-led of the 2027- CSD proceed with new growth-ts or Recreation & 2030 Leisure program Strategic comprehensive program reviews in the short to medium term. the municipality to respond to changing reviewPlan community needs. (CAO-2025- KIRC’s impact on city-wide programming and ensure future planning is 312) informed by evolving community needs. Refer and revisit as part of the 2027- Master Plan including a focus on the Sport and CSD 2030 proceed with new growth-ts or Strategic comprehensive program reviews in the short to medium term. meet increasingly diverse needs of the Master Plan Plan these reviewsas part of the next strategic plan community. (CAO-2025-KIRC’s impact on city-wide programming and ensure future planning is 312)informed by evolving community needs. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE Dept & Planned Project Planned Description Strategic ActionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion Division ManagerStart An external consultant washired to conduct a comprehensive review of the City’s community grants program. Project scoping, document targeted community engagement with grant applicants/recipients, and benchmarking with was completed as part of the review. A comprehensive report CSD Community Elin support community groups working on May 2024Dec2025 This strategic action will be completed in 2025.Delayed Moorlag Strategy Session in August. The strategy session will be focused on City’s Strategic Plan. c community grant program’s most pressing challenges. August 2025 to December 2025. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 8 Planned Dept & Project Planned Strategic ActionDescriptionImplementation NotesProgress Update Completion DivisionManagerStart what they value as employees at the City, including surveys and focused discussions, This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2025- Strengthenthe City of Kitchener leading to the City’s Strengthen 2026, Phase 3 of this action will focus on the COR employer identity and employee value employer development of a refreshed People Plan, the Janette proposition to remain a competitive On Track Human Jul2025Mar2026 identity/value City's strategy for attracting and retaining a MacDonald employer in order to attract and retain an employer of choice. Further s Resources proposition highly qualified workforce to serve the evolving top talent. needs and priorities of our community. strategy, which will inform the development of a brand vision and design updates to the City's have been granted to three companies,is complete. The necessary FIN local start-ups and provide more Procurement phase for the technologies is set to begin and concludethis year. Ryan ScottJan 2024Mar 2025 This strategic action will be completed in 2025. Complete Financial innovation thePitch Kitchenerprogram Operations delivery. A link to the Pitch Kitchener website can be found here. A three-year strategy and work plan, which focuses on building This is a multi-year strategic action. In 2025, - Implement a City-wide Data Strategy Phase 2 of this action will focus on developing a - COR Implement City- data governance framework, piloting the Linnea Leadership Team. wide data practices to scale across the On Track wide Data Jun2025Mar2026 Office of the frameworkwith staff, designing data training, Scian complete a data governance assessment. City, in order to deliver better services Strategy and drafting an open data policy. Phase 3 of this governance for residents. action will occur in 2026. Services Department. This Fall, work on designing data training and will be completed. Refresh the City’s Digital Kitchener has concluded,withresults COR informing the second engagement phase, includingfor residentsand Digital Technology Nicole d in 2026.On Track Kitchener Jan 2025Jun 2026 Amaral strategies Strategy that improve service delivery for c Services residents. A project charter has been endorsed by the City’s Corporate Leadership - COR Support a form an support a psychologically safe Dimetra Human On Track Psychologically Jan 2025Dec 2025 workplace to enhance employee Resendes psychological safety data, and an environmental Resources Safe Workplace psychological well-being across the C ons of the 13 factors of Psychological Health and Safety. scheduled for the Fall. APPENDIX A: STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE (SUMMER2025) PAGE 9 COMPASS KITCHENER All Advisory Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs Meeting 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday November 12, 2025 nd Learning Room, 2 Floor Kitchener City Hall Agenda Time Item ЎʹЉЉ Networking and Refreshments / Dinner /ğƷĻƩĻķ ĬǤ ЎʹЌЉ Welcome and Introductions /ƚƒƦğƭƭ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ /ŷğźƩͲ ƩƚǤ DƌƚǝĻƩ ЎʹЍЉ Instructions to Present /ƚƒƦğƭƭ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ /ŷğźƩͲ ƩƚǤ DƌƚǝĻƩ ЎʹЍЎ Advisory Committee Mid-term Check-in Presentations (No more than 5-min each) ŷźĭŷ ĭźƷǤ ƭƷğŅŅ ŷğǝĻ ĻƓŭğŭĻķ ǞźƷŷ ǤƚǒƩ ĭƚƒƒźƷƷĻĻ ƚǝĻƩ ƷŷĻ ƦğƭƷ ǤĻğƩͪ LƓ ǞŷğƷ ĭğƦğĭźƷǤ ΛĻ͵ŭ͵Ͳ ƦƩĻƭĻƓƷğƷźƚƓƭͲ ǒƦķğƷĻƭͲ ĭƚƓƭǒƌƷğƷźƚƓΜͪ IƚǞ Ǟƚǒƌķ Ǥƚǒ ķĻƭĭƩźĬĻ ƷŷĻ ƨǒğƌźƷǤͲ ĭƚƓƭźƭƷĻƓĭǤͲ ğƓķ ƩĻƌĻǝğƓĭĻ ƚŅ ƭƷğŅŅ ĻƓŭğŭĻƒĻƓƷͪ ŅǒƌŅźƌƌ źƷƭ ƒğƓķğƷĻ ğƓķ ķǒƷźĻƭͪ Q & A (5 min each) Individual Reflection (5 min) АʹЋЉ ŷğƷ ƭǒŭŭĻƭƷźƚƓƭ ķƚ Ǥƚǒ ŷğǝĻ ŅƚƩ źƒƦƩƚǝźƓŭ ĭƚƌƌğĬƚƩğƷźƚƓ ǞźƷŷ ĭźƷǤ ƭƷğŅŅ ƒƚǝźƓŭ ŅƚƩǞğƩķͪ Share Ideas - Post-it Notes АʹЋЎ Quick synthesis of ideas АʹЎЎ Closing Remarks /ƚƒƦğƭƭ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ /ŷğźƩͲ ƩƚǤ DƌƚǝĻƩ БʹЉЉ Adjournment