HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2026-01-26Finance and Corporate Services
Committee Minutes
January 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
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
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
D. Murray, Director of Technology Innovation and Services
N. Amaral, Innovation Lab Director
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
1. Commencement
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The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 4:06 p.m.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
3. Consent Items
3.1 Cowan Recreation Centre Reserve Fund, FIN -2026-032
The Committee considered Finance Services Department report FIN -2026-032,
dated January 6, 2026 recommending that the Cowan Recreation Centre
Reserve Fund be approved as detailed in the reserve information attached to the
report.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"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."
Carried
3.2 Brownfield Remediation Program Application - 161 Ottawa Street South,
DSD -2025-463
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025-
463, dated January 8, 2026 recommending that, the Brownfield Remediation
Program Application for 161 Ottawa Street South, dated June 4, 2015, be
approved as outlined in the report.
On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni
it was resolved:
"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,
2
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."
Carried
4. Discussion Items
4.1 Artificial Intelligence (Al) Education Session, COR -2026-007
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR -2026-
007, dated December 3, 2025 outlining educational information related to
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
M. Klassen, VP, External Relations, Communitech and C. MacGillivray, Executive
in Residence, Communitech provided a presentation on this matter and
responded to questions from the Commiittee.
N. Amaral and D. Murray were in attendance and responded to questions from
the Committee.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time.
Councillor J. Deneault left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
Councillor D. Schnider left the meeting at this time and re-entered.
It was noted the staff report related to this matter was strictly for information.
3
On motion by Councillor P. Singh
it was resolved:
"That Corporate Services Department report COR -2026-007, Artificial
Intelligence (AI) education session with Communitech, be received as
information."
5. Information Items
5.1 Strategic Plan Update - Winter 2026 Implementation, CAO -2026-050
5.2 Tree Canopy Update, INS -2026-014
6. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Marilyn Mills
Committee Coordinator
Carried
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