HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener- 2026-02-04
Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee
Committee Minutes
February 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Schmalz Room - Second Floor City Hall
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present T. Glover, Chair
J. Young, Vice Chair
J. Stephens-Wells, Member
K. Brabazon, Member
L. Thompson, Member
L. Terry, Member
L. Trumper, Member
R. Gill, Member
Staff: A. Remillard, Committee Administrator
M. Love, Director of Strategy and Corporate Performance
K. Rieger, Strategic Plan Project Lead
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1. Commencement
2.Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
3. Delegations
4.Discussion Items
4.1 Finalize 2026 Workplan
T. Glover introduced the decision that needs to be made regarding the 2026
workplan; reminding Compass Kitchener members that the report will be owned
by the next Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee cohort, and they will be the
authors of the report.
Compass Kitchener members discussed three options: (1) ceasing their review of
projects within the 2023-2026 strategic plan; (2) continuing with a rolling review
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for the balance of 2026; and, (3) continuing with a rolling review but creating a
cut-off (e.g., Spring 2026).
After careful discussion, Compass members voted unanimously for a rolling
review of the projects with a stop at the spring update, with an option to decide if
they will continue project evaluations.
M. Love confirmed that interim reports, coinciding with Compass Kitchener’s
rolling reviews, would not be posted to the City’s website; reporting is to be done
through Council only, with Council’s expectation to receive one report card per
calendar year. However, Compass Kitchener may decide to report on both
closures in the previous and current year within their annual report card.
4.2 Introduction of the new Strategic Plan Project Lead
The new Strategic Plan Project Lead, K. Rieger provided Compass Kitchener
members with a 5-minute PowerPoint about her background as well as introduce
Compass Kitchener's Roles and Responsibilities for the Development of the
2027-2030 Strategic Plan - a document based on Compass Kitchener’s feedback
from the December 2025 meeting.
K. Rieger asked members of Compass Kitchener whether there is anything
missing in the document outlining the roles, responsibilities, and working
practices for Compass Kitchener. No additions were requested – the document is
considered to be finalized.
K. Rieger asked the committee for feedback on new methods of engaging the
community. Compass Kitchener members shared some ideas they believe
worked well in the past such as: in the street interviews, the 'pop-up' approach as
done previously at transit area corridors, at the Multicultural Festival in Victoria
Park and at The Market. T. Glover suggested looking at what went well with the
resident panel and try utilizing that.
4.3 Project Evaluations
Members broke into their pairs, splitting up between the Schmalz Room and The
Learning Room and worked on reviewing their project(s).
4.4 Reconvene
Compass members shared their thoughts on their project review(s); how the
evaluation went, whether they had any questions or would benefit from
requesting a staff presentation before evaluating the project, and if they were
ready to present to the rest of the group at the next meeting.
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L. Terry and L. Thompson reviewed the Localized Transportation Safety
Improvement Program and had a question about the inclusion of an old report in
the supplemental materials provided. They will send their question directly to S.
Sweazey to get an answer from staff. Depending on the answer, they may be
ready to present their evaluation by the next meeting.
L. Trumper & K. Brabazon reviewed the Housing for All Implementation project
and commented the briefing template talked a lot about what was done but not
about the outcome. Following some group discussion, L. Trumper and K.
Brabazon decided they would benefit from a staff presentation.
J. Young and J. Stephens-Wells indicated they were ready to present their
evaluation to the group at the next meeting.
R. Gill indicated he would be ready to present their evaluation of the Implement
Tree Canopy Target Plan at the next meeting.
T. Glover indicated the two projects he was tasked with to evaluate were
completed and he would be ready to present both to the group at the next
meeting.
Next Steps:
In addition to the continuation of project briefing reviews, there will be at least
four, possibly five presentations of draft project evaluations to finalize.
Compass Kitchener members agreed to extend the March 4th meeting to 6 pm.
4.5 Review Previous Minutes
Compass Kitchener members reviewed the January 7th meeting minutes.
5. Information Items
5.1 Roles and Responsibilities Development of 2027-2030 Plan
5.2 Compass Kitchener Minutes -January 7, 2026
6. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm
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