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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2026-03-04 Compass Kitchener 2026 Work Plan Compass Kitchener gains community input and participation in order to provide advice to Council on plan. The Committee reports directly to Council and develops a yearly work plan to submit to Council for feedback. Responsibility Item Compass Kitchener Meeting Dates Administration 1. Conflict of Interest Ongoing 2. Code of Conduct Ongoing Comply with City policies for Committees Work Plan January 7, 2026 1. 2025 Work Plan Develop a yearly work plan and submit it to Council for feedback Advisory Committee Collaboration 1. All Advisory Committees Meeting May 2026 Ensure communication and collaboration among Advisory Committees of Council by convening two 2. All Advisory Chairs and Vice October 2026 yearly meetings, one for Chairs and Vice Chairs Chairs Committee Meeting membership. Report Card 1. 2025 Report Card a) Begin evaluation of completed February - May 2026 To develop an evaluation framework in projects in 2025 Winter update collaboration with city staff for the purpose b) Draft final report June 2026 of evaluating the implementation of the Strategic c) Share Report w/ CLT June 2026 Plan. d) CLT feedback August 2026 e) Present Report to Council September 2026 2. 2026 Report Card September - November a) Begin evaluation of completed 2026 projects in 2026 Spring update 3. Review Strategic Action Plan Updates February 2026 a) Strategic Plan Implementation Update I June 2026 b) Update II October 2026 c) Update III Strategic Plan* 1. Community Engagement Process a) Review and comment on a February 2026 To assist city staff in designing, implementing, and scoped roles/responsibilities facilitating community engagement processes prior document to each municipal election that identify and validate b) Review and comment on the March 2026 questions for the statistically significant community survey strategic plan, and to seek Compass Kitc) Review and comment on April 2026 input and feedback throughout these processes. engagement plan Responsibility Item Compass Kitchener Meeting Dates d) Review and comment on survey April 2026 results *This work plan is subject to change based on the e) Support community engagement Summer 2026 finalization of the project plan for the 2026-2029 activities through facilitation and strategic plan development. Additionally, to ensure feedback September October proper alignment, timely coordination, and accurate f) Review and comment on refined 2026 outputs, it may be necessary to share information set of community goals, priorities, and seek input or feedback through email rather actions, framework/indicators. September - October 2026 than relying solely on official meetings. g) Input on high level draft content for staff report November- December h) Support report to council through 2026 shared presentation and Q&A 2025 Project Evaluations CREATING AN ECONOMICALLY-THRIVING CITY TOGETHER We use our collective strengths to grow an agile and diverse local economy powered by talented entrepreneurs, workers, and artists. We work together to create opportunities for everyone and a resilient future that propels our city forward. Procurement Innovation Project Pitch Kitchener Report Card Project Description: The Procurement Innovation Project, delivered through the Pitch Kitchener program, was designed to create innovative procurement opportunities that better engage start-ups and vendors of all sizes. The program provides a structured and transparent framework for gathering vendor pitches, evaluating proposals, and piloting promising solutions to improve City service delivery. By lowering barriers to participation and enabling pilot projects, Pitch Kitchener supports procurement innovation while maintaining compliance with municipal policies and risk management requirements. Goal: Overall Evaluation: Meets Expectations Highlights Responsible Project Delivery: exceeds expectations The original goal of supporting one to two pilot projects within a $100,000 budget was surpassed, with three pilot projects initiated and approximately $90,000 of the allocated funding encumbered. The project was delivered within its planned scope and resources, demonstrating effective budget management and a clear process for evaluating, selecting, and supporting pilot initiatives. Two of the pilot projects are anticipated to transition into longer-term arrangements, indicating strong alignment between project planning and implementation outcomes. Impact / Public Value: meets expectations Pitch Kitchener created meaningful opportunities for three companies to demonstrate how their technologies could be applied within a mid-sized municipal context. The pilot approach enabled the City to explore automation and service improvements while managing risk and learning from real-world implementation. 2 The program also strengthened collaboration between municipal staff and start- ups, addressing previously identified gaps in access and engagement. While longer-term outcomes will depend on the results of the pilots and any subsequent agreements, the project established a solid foundation for innovation-oriented procurement and future service improvements. Transparency and Communication: meets expectations Information about the Pitch Kitchener program was shared publicly through announcements, a dedicated website, and media coverage. The overall process, including intake, evaluation, and pilot selection, was clearly outlined and supported through partnerships with Communitech. Updates were communicated through public channels, including announcements of shortlisted suppliers and pilotprojects, contributing to an accessible and transparent procurement process. Public Engagement: meets expectations Engagement focused primarily on relevant stakeholders, including internal City divisions, Communitech representatives, and participating vendors. Information sessions were held to support interested proponents, and feedback was incorporated into the program prior to launch. Ongoing feedback loops were maintained with shortlisted suppliers and pilot participants throughout the process, supporting learning and refinement as the pilots progressed. Notes for the Future As pilot projects mature, consider tracking and reporting on longer-term outcomes to better assess public value and inform future procurement decisions. Explore opportunities to replicate or scale the Pitch Kitchener model in other service areas where innovation-oriented procurement could add value. Continue refining how lessons learned from pilot projects are shared internally and publicly to support organizational learning and transparency. 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 _____________________________________________________________________ 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 1 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. 2 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 3