HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2026-02-02Council Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2026, 7:00 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. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. loannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Stretch
Absent: Councillor C. Michaud
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
L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
1. COMMENCEMENT
The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor and the
singing of "O Canada."
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1.1 Commemoration of Black History Month - Hymn to Freedom
Mayor B. Vrbanovic recognized Black History Month and Black Heritage Month
and the Hymn to Freedom was presented.
2. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
On motion by Councillor P. Singh, the minutes of the regular meeting held
January 12, 2026, and special meetings held January 5, 12, and 26, 2026, as
mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted.
3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE
THEREOF
None.
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
Bethany Pearce, Supervisor of Older Adult Services, recognized the city's recent
award of the Age Friendly Community Award and highlighted the older adult
programming growth in recent years assisted by both budget allocations and
enhanced communication of programming guides. Mayor B. Vrbanovic
acknowledged the work of the Mayor's Advisory Council for Seniors (MACKS).
Councillor P. Singh left and returned to the meeting at this time.
6. DELEGATIONS
6.1 Motion to add Delegation - Youth Employment Opportunities - City of
Kitchener
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor D. Chapman
"That pursuant to section 15.3 of Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the City of
Kitchener Municipal Code, that Varfley Dolleh be added to the agenda as
a delegation to the Council agenda this date, to discuss youth
employment opportunities within the City of Kitchener, which is not a
matter on this agenda."
Carried
6.1.a Youth Employment Opportunities - City of Kitchener
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time.
V. Dolleh provided a presentation proposing the City expand its' funding of paid
summer jobs for youth and expressed concern with the lack of options for youth
and increasing homelessness.
Councillor P. Singh returned to the meeting at this time.
7. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
7.1 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - JANUARY 26, 2026
Moved by Councillor S. Davey
Seconded by Councillor J. Deneault
"That the report of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, dated
January 26, 2026, listed as items 7.1.a to 7.1.c on the agenda this date,
be adopted."
Carried
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."
Carried
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
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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,
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
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."
Carried
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NIL
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 - MAYORAL BUSINESS AND UPDATES - MAYOR B. VRBANOVIC
Mayor B. Vrbanovic highlighted that city staff continue to work with Region of
Waterloo staff on the recent water supply issue and expect the matter to return to
Council in the next meeting cycle.
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10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
D. McGoldrick responded to questions from Council regarding winter
maintenance and snow removal and request to return to council with an
information report on activities undertaken by the end of June 2026.
11. STAFF REPORTS
11.1 Item arising from In -Camera
11.1.a City Property Acquisition (Potential Land Acquisition Matter - Section 239 (2) (c)),
COR -2026-066
Moved by Councillor S. Stretch
Seconded by Councillor J. Deneault
"Further to the discussions at the in camera meeting of Council held on
May 5, 2025, the Chief Administrative Officer is hereby directed to take
into account the revised terms and conditions discussed at the in camera
meeting of February 2, 2026 when exercising the authority granted by
Council through its resolution of May 5, 2025 (Item 12.3.a in the minutes
of that meeting)."
Carried
11.2 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11.2.a Council Compensation Review, CAO -2026-065
Moved by Councillor A. Owodunni
Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis
"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 further,
That policy GOV-COU-020 (Council Compensation) be updated by as part
of this review."
12. BY-LAWS
12.1 THREE READINGS
Carried
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Moved by Councillor D.— hapman
"That the by-laws be given third reading, namely:
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.
(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)
12.1.4 To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council for February 2,
2026.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Mayor Cie -k,
(By-law 2026-016)
5RIM
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