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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2025-12-11 SSpecial Council Meeting December 11, 2025, 1:00 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. Sc aider 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 V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services L. MacDonald, City Solicitor A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk M. Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning and Asset Management D. Andrade, Manager, Budgets D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk M1111 R75011=1 A meeting of City Council was held at 1:00 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 Councillor S. Stretch declared a conflict with the 2026 Kitchener Public Library Board budget, outlined in the budget package this date, as her spouse works for the Kitchener Public Library, and she did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter. Councillor M. Johnston declared a conflict with page 32 of the 2026 Capital budget package this date, as her street is listed as a property planned for reconstruction, and she did not participate in any voting or discussion on this matter. Councillor P. Singh declared a conflict with Capital Projects 901004087 and 20240002, in the 2026 Capital budget package this date, as a family member owns property within the vicinity, and he did not participate in any voting or discussion on these matter. Councillor D. Chapman declared a conflict with the Katherine Crescent reconstruction project, outlined in the 2026 Capital budget package date, as a family member resides on the street, and she did not participate in any voting or discussion on these matters. 3. Mayoral Business and Updates - Mayor B. Vrbanovic 3.1 Mayor's Proposed Budget 2026 The Draft 2026 Budget was presented by staff during a Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting November 24, 2025. Under new Provincial legislation it is the Mayor's responsibility to propose the budget, which was officially proposed at a Special Council meeting on December 1, 2025, which was accompanied by Financial Services Department report FIN -2025-492, to outline the budget approval process. The Mayor's 2026 Budget has been included in the agenda package this date. The purpose of the meeting this date is to consider any amendments that Members of Council may have related to the Mayor's budget. Members of Council were requested to provide any proposed 2026 Budget amendments to the City Clerk by Monday December 8, 2025, to be included on Special Council N agenda in advance of the meeting. leo proposed budget amendments were received by the City Cleirk by Monday December 6, 2025. Pending receipt of any amendments and/or should the Mayor not exercise veto rights as outlined in Strong Mayor Legislation, the budget will be considered adopted as of this date. Mayor B. Vrbanovic addressed the changes to the city budget required by provincial legislation, highlighted the budget process undertaken to date, and acknowledged the work of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and Chair, Corporate Leadership Team and city staff on presenting a budget that takes into consideration growth, and economic pressures while balancing affordability and operational service delivery needs. The 2025 proposed budget includes a tax rate increase of 2.2%, amounting to a anal increase of $29. for the average home. Mayor B. Vrbanovic reported that itc ener's tax rate increases over the past 10 years have averaged below inflation as a testament to an efficient, effective and sustainable approach o budgeting. Members of Council thein provided summarizing comments on the budget processes to date. The following motion, save and except the items which had previously declared conflicts, were moved by Councillor S. Davey and seconded by Councillor M. Johnstone The items in the budget related to the Library Board and specific capital projects noted above, which were previously declared conflicts by Councillor P. Singh, Councillor S. Stretch, D. Chapman and Councillor M. Johnston were moved by Councillor S. Davey, seconded by Councillor J. Deneault, were voted separately on by recorded vote and were Carried, unanimously. The following motion was then voted on, on a recorded vote. Moved by Councillor S. Davey Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston "That theMayor's Budget be received; and further, That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2026 Budget." Carried, unanimously on a recorded vote Illy -laws .1 Three Readings Moved by Councillor C. Michaud Seconded by Councillor A. Owodunni "That the by-laws be given third reading, namely: Carried 4.1.a To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for December 11, 2025. 5. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Mayou Clrk� 1�1, (By-law 2025-138) Carried 4