HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2001-03-26 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 2001
CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 11:20 a.m. this date and Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all
members present except Councillor C. Weylie.
Notice of this special meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk
pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
Mayor C. Zehr noted that the agenda item relative to the deferral of development charge payments for
2727 Kingsway Drive (Trinity Village) is not required at this time as consideration was deferred by the
Finance and Administration Committee at its meeting earlier this date.
The Committee then considered the recommendation arising from the Finance and Administration
Committee meeting of this date regarding an employment contract for operation of the City Hall
Cafeteria.
Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler
Seconded by Councillor G. Lorentz
"That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an employment agreement with Ann Knol
for the provision of Cafeteria Services in the City Hall Cafeteria."
Carried.
Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler
Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic
"That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following this special meeting to
consider a personal matter, a personal/labour relations matter and five matters subject to solicitor-
client privilege."
Carried.
On motion, the meeting then recessed at 11:25 a.m. and re-convened at 9:40 p.m., Chaired by Mayor
C. Zehr with all members present except Councillor C. Weylie.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, seconded by Councillor J. Smola, the recommendations
arising from the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting held this date were brought
forward for consideration. The Committee recommended that Council: not support the Ministry of
Transportation's technically preferred alternative alignment for the Highway 7 project between
Kitchener and Guelph; affirm its support for the proposed alignment within Kitchener; and, request the
Ministry to re-evaluate other options to address traffic volume on Highway 7, including widening of the
existing Highway 7, alternate forms of transportation and a refined controlled access highway.
Mr. Steve Vogel appeared as a delegation with regard to the Public Works and Transportation
Committee recommendations and requested that Council obtain cost estimates for the proposed
alignment within Kitchener, including the bridge construction. He further noted that if the project does
not proceed, a resolution of the Bridgeport area problem will be required in any event and stated his
preference for the alternative designated by the Ministry as RW4. In his opinion, the RW4 route will
have the least impact on the environment.
Ms. Judy Greenwood-Speers appeared as a delegation and expressed opposition to the
recommendations, commenting that it is the obligation of government to ensure an environmentally
sustainable and healthy community.
Council agreed to amendments to the Public Works and Transportation Committee recommendations
introduced by Councillor J. Ziegler and Councillor B. Vrbanovic, requesting that the Ministry provide
cost estimates for the proposed alignment within Kitchener, including the proposed interchanges and
bridge construction; and, asking that a decision on an alignment be made as soon as possible with
construction to commence at the earliest possible date.
Councillors B. Vrbanovic and J. Smola spoke in support of the motion, noting that a transportation
network is needed that will provide the best possible balance of all factors, and acknowledging that
the need for improvement in the Bridgeport area is a priority within Kitchener.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 2001
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CITY OF KITCHENER
Council then voted on the motion, as amended.
Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic
Seconded by Councillor J. Smola
"That Kitchener City Council not support the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario's technically
preferred alternative alignment for the Highway #7 project from Kitchener to Guelph, subject to
reconsideration which may result from any future revision of the study by the Ministry as a
result of its public consultation process; and further,
That City Council reaffirms its support for the proposed technically preferred alternative
alignment within the City of Kitchener of the Highway #7 project, including the Wellington
Street interchange and partial interchange access to Bridgeport, and modifications proposed
earlier by the Ministry of Transportation in regard to the Hindu Temple and additional
modifications involving the Nelson Stone Centre, as proposed in the written submission of Mr.
Garth Nelson dated March 26, 2001 ."
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"That the Ministry of Transportation be requested to re-evaluate other options to address traffic
volume on Highway #7 between Kitchener and Guelph, including but not limited to:
- widening existing Highway #7
- alternative transportation forms
- refined controlled access highway; and,
That the Ministry of Transportation be asked to provide Kitchener City Council with cost
estimates for the proposed alignment within Kitchener, including the proposed interchanges
and bridge construction; and further,
That a decision on the alignment be made as soon as possible and construction commence at
the earliest possible date."
Carried.
Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz
Seconded by Councillor J. Smola
"That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce a by-law to confirm all actions and
proceedings of the Council and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times,
be finally passed and numbered 2001-50 by the Clerk."
Carried.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK