HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Agenda - 2026-02-02Council Meeting Agenda
Monday, February 2, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
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form at www.kitchener.ca/delegation or via email at delegation kitchener.ca. Please refer to the
delegation section on the agenda below for registration in-person and electronic participation
deadlines. Written comments received will be circulated prior to the meeting and will form part of the
public record.
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Pages
1. COMMENCEMENT
The meeting will begin with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and
the singing of "O Canada."
1.1 Commemoration of Black History Month - Hymn to Freedom
2. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Minutes to be accepted as circulated to the Mayor and Councillors (regular
meeting held January 12, 2026, and special meetings held January 5, 12, and
26, 2026.) - Councillor P. Singh.
3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE
THEREOF
Members of Council and members of the City's local boards/committees are
required to file a written statement when they have a conflict of interest. If a
conflict is declared, please visit www.kitchener.ca/conflict to submit your written
form.
4. COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE
4.1 Flag / Illumination Request under Policy MUN-FAC-442
4.1.a Illumination - World Tuberculosis Day - March 24, 2026
4.1.b Flag & Illumination - Polish Heritage Month - May 4 - 11, 2026
4.1.c Illumination - Lupus Awareness Day - May 10, 2026
4.1.d Illumination - Light Up for Fibromyalgia - May 13, 2026
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Age Friendly Community Award
6. DELEGATIONS
Pursuant to Council's Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address
the Committee for a maximum of five (5) minutes. All Delegations where
possible are encouraged to register prior to the start of the meeting. For
Delegates who are attending in-person, registration is permitted up to the start
of the meeting. Delegates who are interested in attending virtually must register
by 5:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026, in order to participate electronically.
6.1 None at this time.
7. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
7.1 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - JANUARY
26, 2026
7.1.a Cowan Recreation Centre Reserve Fund, FIN -2026-032
That the Cowan Recreation Centre Reserve Fund be approved as
detailed in the reserve information sheet attached to Financial
Services Department report FIN -2026-032.
7.1.b Brownfield Remediation Program Application - 161 Ottawa Street
South, DSD -2025-463
That the Brownfield Remediation Program Application for 161 Ottawa
Street South, dated June 4, 2015, be approved as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD -2025-463; and,
That in exchange for a completed and filed Record of Site Condition
for the subject property, the owner(s), Jozo Ilic and Kata Ilic, will be
provided a tax incremental grant on the redevelopment of the property
in the form of a rebate issued on a proportionate basis, annually, for a
period to be prescribed but not to exceed 10 years, on City taxes in an
amount equal to 100% of the City of Kitchener Tax Increment; and,
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That the City Tax Increment be defined as the difference between the
City of Kitchener portion of real property taxes for the 2015 taxation
year and the new City of Kitchener portion of real property taxes
levied as a result of a new assessment by the Municipal Property
Assessment Corporation (MPAC) following completion of the project
as compensation for the remediation of the above subject lands; and,
That the City property tax increment grant is not to exceed $62,960
based on the City tax increment; payable in 2026; and,
That the Region of Waterloo Brownfield Coordinator be circulated a
copy of any decision made by Kitchener City Council regarding this
Application; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Agreement,
subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with Jozo Ilic and Kata
Ilic, to implement the provisions of the Brownfield Financial Incentive
Program Application for 161 Ottawa St South, as outlined in the
Development Services Department Report.
7.1.c Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Session, COR -2026-007
That Corporate Services Department report COR -2026-007, Artificial
Intelligence (AI) education session with Communitech, be received as
information.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NIL
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 - MAYORAL BUSINESS AND UPDATES - MAYOR B. VRBANOVIC
10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
11. STAFF REPORTS
11.1 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11.1.a Council Compensation Review, CAO -2026-065 5
12. BY-LAWS
12.1 THREE READINGS
12.1.a 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 2026-013)
12.1.b To further amend By-law No. 88-171, being a by-law to designate
private roadways as fire routes and to prohibit parking thereon.
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(By-law 2026-014)
12.1.c To further amend By-law No. 2010-190, being a by-law to prohibit
unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on private property.
(By-law 2026-015)
12.1.d To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for February 2,
2026.
(By-law 2026-016)
13. ADJOURNMENT
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Staff Report
J
IKgc.;i' r� R
Chief Administrator's Office www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING: February 2, 2026
SUBMITTED BY: Dan Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
PREPARED BY: Justin Watkins, Manager of Corporate Planning
Sloane Sweazey, Senior Policy Advisor
WARD(S) INVOLVED: ALL
DATE OF REPORT: January 28, 2026
REPORT NO.: CAO -2026-065
SUBJECT: Council Compensation Review
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff be directed to engage a consultant to undertake a scoped review of council
remuneration with any changes to be effective for the 2026-2030 council term; and
That policy GOV-COU-020 (Council Compensation) be updated by as part of this review.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
• The purpose of this report is to seek direction to complete a review of council
remuneration for the 2026-2030 term of council, and to update council's current
compensation policy (GOV-COU-020).
• The review is anticipated to cost $15,000 to $25,000 and will be funded from the 2026
budget.
• Community engagement included posting this report to the City's website with the
agenda in advance of the council meeting. A future meeting at which any potential
compensation adjustments or compensation policy changes are to be considered will be
advertised and open to the public.
• This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
As prescribed by the Municipal Act, 2001, council has the authority to establish its own
compensation structure. Council's current compensation policy (GOV-COU-020 - Council
Compensation) was approved in 2002 and established a rate of pay for mayor and councillors,
along with an annual salary adjustment for the mayor and council equal to the lesser of the
annual adjustment received by City staff classified as M -band or classified as non-union
employees. In September 2017, council remuneration tax exemptions were eliminated, and
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councillors were included in the OMERS pension program. This replaced the prior practice of
contributing to RRSP accounts for members of council.
Several municipalities, including municipalities within Waterloo region, are reviewing council
compensation to evaluate the competitiveness of their remuneration and benefits packages in
advance of the 2026-2030 term of council. Through these reviews, market analyses have
identified Kitchener's council compensation as an outlier in certain respects relative to other
comparable communities. Ensuring fair and competitive compensation for members of council
is an important consideration in attracting candidates to run for elected office. For these
reasons, it is recommended that Kitchener undertake a scoped council compensation review in
advance of the next term of council.
REPORT:
Based on the current council compensation policy there is no automatic timeline for a council
compensation review, which is different than the practice of many other municipalities.
Considering findings from recent council compensation reviews and the fact that other
Waterloo Region municipalities are undertaking them at the end of this council term, it is
recommended that staff be directed to engage an external consultant to review compensation
for elected officials in advance of the 2026 municipal elections. Like market salary reviews
which are undertaken for staff roles, this will help to ensure that compensation for council
remains appropriate to the requirements of the role and in step with municipal comparators.
To ensure that the review is focused both in terms of scope, time and cost, it is proposed that
base remuneration be the primary focus of this review. Topics such as ward boundary
revisions and considerations related to part-time vs. full-time councillors would be better
addressed through the ward boundary review which is already planned for the next term of
council. Any changes arising from that review would be effective for the 2030-2034 council
term.
As part of this review, policy GOV-COU-020 (Council Compensation) will be updated. The
consultant may identify policy enhancements to align the policy with leading practice and other
current compensation standards, and these recommendations would be brought forward for
Council consideration. In accordance with the requirements of the current policy, the meeting
at which any compensation adjustments or compensation policy changes are to be considered
will be advertised and open to the public.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget — The cost of a consultant review of council remuneration is anticipated to
be between $15,000-$25,000 based on the experience of other municipalities and will be
funded through the general expense portion of the council -approved budget.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the
council meeting. Additionally, the meeting at which any compensation adjustments or
compensation policy changes are to be considered will be advertised and open to the public.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
• FCS -17-164 Council Remuneration — Elimination of 1/3 Tax Free Portion & OMERS
Enrolment
APPROVED BY: Dan Chapman, CAO
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: GOV-COU-020 (Council Compensation)
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1. POLICY PURPOSE:
To be included at next review.
2. DEFINITIONS:
To be included at next review.
3. SCOPE:
POLICY APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING:
KITO WIM,'R
POLICY
I
Policy No: GOV-COU-020
I
Policy Title:
COUNCIL
Approval Date: December 9, 2002
El
COMPENSATION
El C.U.P.E. 68 Civic
El
Non Union
Reviewed Date: June 2016
PolicV TVpe:
COUNCIL
Next Review Date: July 2021
Category:
Governance
Reviewed Date:
Sub -Category:
Council
El K.P.F.F.A.
Last Amended:
Author:
Author Unknown
X
Council
Dept/Di
Office of the Mayor & Council
Replaces: 1-020 - Council Compensation
Repealed:
Replaced by:
Related Policies, Procedures and/or Guidelines:
I
To be included next review.
1. POLICY PURPOSE:
To be included at next review.
2. DEFINITIONS:
To be included at next review.
3. SCOPE:
1 of 2
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POLICY APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING:
El All Employees
El
All Full -Time Employees
El All Union
El
Management
El C.U.P.E. 68 Civic
El
Non Union
El C.U.P.E. 68 Mechanics
El
Temporary
El C.U.P.E. 791
El
Student
El I.B.E.W. 636
El
Part -Time Employees
El K.P.F.F.A.
El
Specified Positions only:
El Other:
X
Council
El Local Boards & Advisory Committees
1 of 2
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Policy No: GOV-COU-020
Policy Title: COUNCIL COMPENSATION
4. POLICY CONTENT:
a. As of January 1, 2003 the Mayor's and Councillor's current base salary shall
be $62,200 and $32,000 respectively.
b. Effective December 1, 2003, the base salary of the Mayor and Councillors be
set at $63,444 and $32,640 respectively.
c. Effective with the election of City Council in 2003, the Mayor and Councillors
receive an annual salary adjustment equal to the lesser of the annual
adjustment received by City staff classified as M -band or classified as non-
union employees, which shall take effect on the same date as the staff
adjustment.
d. Effective December 1, 2003, Councillors will have the option of receiving
matching contributions to their individual RRSP up to the regular rate OMERS
contribution. It is recognized that the Mayor currently receives contributions to
his RRSP in lieu of the regular rate of OMERS contribution.
e. Any amendment to this policy, other than for housekeeping purposes where
the intent of the policy does not change, shall require at least one public
meeting of which sufficient notice shall be given.
5. HISTORY OF POLICY CHANGES
Administrative Updates
2016-06-01 - 1-020 policy template re -formatted to new numbering system and
given number GOV-COU-020.
Formal Amendments
No amendment history to date.
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