HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2007-01-16 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 16, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 9:15 a.m. this date at The Woerner House, 2283
Roseville Road, North Dumfries Township. The meeting was chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all
members present. Councillor J. Gazzola was in attendance for part of the meeting.
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. Approval to hold this meeting in a
place other than City Hall was given by resolution at the December 18, 2006 Council meeting.
Mayor C. Zehr advised that the purpose of the special meeting was to review the 2001 Corporate re-
organization and strategic goals, assess the progress in attaining those goals and looking forward
with the Strategic Plan. Mayor Zehr added that the afternoon session would be an in-camera session
for the purposes of receiving training and education and would only include members of Council, the
Chief Administrative Officer and the facilitator, Joan Sanger.
Ms. C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer, led a review of the 2001 Corporate re-organization and
strategic plan advising that Council at that time had expectations that the City through the re-
organization would be an organization that:
(1) is capable of adapting and improving;
(2) provides quality infrastructure and valued services in a timely manner;
(3) is appreciated by the community for the value of its services;
(4) allows for two-way information among the community, administration and Council;
(5) clearly understands and anticipates the public's needs and priorities;
(6) ensures effective public discussion occurs around important issues;
(7) has no silos; accessible services, customer satisfaction.
Ms. Ladd pointed out that following the 2001 Corporate re-organization the Corporate Plan was
developed with five strategic focuses: service first; community and business relations; predictability
and results; pride in the workplace; and, change and improvement.
Council and staff then reviewed the current Corporate structure and the five departments.
A general discussion ensued regarding the progress towards the goals set out in 2001. A question
was raised regarding the goal of eliminating silos within the Corporation and if there have been
changes in this regard. It was pointed out to Council that there is a focus on cross-departmental
teams for many projects and issues, the development of the Employee Advisory Committee with staff
from across the Corporation, and that the upcoming employee survey will be a tool to gauge staff
acceptance of this particular goal. Councillor B. Vrbanovic raised concerns with: the community's
value of the services being provided; recruitment and retention of staff; and, the need to improve
Council and staff relations on all levels. He added that the recent Healthy Community Plan will help
the Corporation in understanding the community's value of its services and this needs to be explored
and developed fully. Councillor G. Lorentz stated his opinion that the re-structuring appears to be
working well, that the Corporation is working towards the goals as set out but one specific area that
needs to be addressed is the Bramm Street Yards which is a terrible work place and the need to have
a better facility which will have a positive affect on employee moral.
Ms. P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services, provided an overview of the Corporate
planning model and how the various plans such as the Corporate Plan, Departmental work plans,
Healthy Community Plan and the annual operating and capital budgets work together in order to
achieve the goals.
Ms. Ladd then led a review of the Corporate initiatives currently underway and the alignment to the
Healthy Community Plan and the Shared Agenda. Mayor Zehr pointed out that a review of the ward
boundaries is to take place during this term of Council suggesting that the size of the current Council
also be reviewed as part of that process.
Councillor J. Gazzola entered the meeting.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 16, 2007 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Councillor C. Weylie inquired about the changes to the Municipal Act through Bill 130 suggesting that
it would be important for this information to be brought to Council's attention. Councillor Vrbanovic
suggested that there needs to be more focus on the recruitment of businesses to the Downtown as
well as a focus on community safety across the entire City. It was suggested that with respect to
community safety, there is a need to engage the public in order to bring forth information and start
discussion on the issues. It was further suggested that it is important to engage the youth in these
public meetings. Councillor J. Smola suggested that a long term plan is required with respect to the
Canada Post site on Gaukel Street. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested that the City needs to look at
preserving the Hidden Valley area as part of its environmental initiative. Other issues that were
raised were:
• Manufacturing strategy ensuring broad employment opportunities;
• Special events needs to fit in with the tourism strategy;
• Audit of special events;
• Kitchener is a high-tech community yet doesn't reflect that especially City Hall in the area of
the website, e-government and other technological initiatives;
• Delivery of the fundamental services provided by the City;
• Attracting new and younger employees;
• Investigate allowing private operators to operate the Kitchener Market;
• Need to co-ordinate the graffiti programs in order to address this situation which has an affect
on community safety;
• Continuing to work with the Region and the Township of Woolwich regarding employment
lands;
• Lands for parks and playgrounds need to fit in with development strategies;
• Diversity plan to work with partners to integrate new Canadians
• Developing and / or strengthening relationships with other municipalities within the Region.
C. Ladd pointed out that the issues raised this date will be added to the current list of issues and
initiatives and the next step is to prioritize the list.
C. Ladd then asked Council for feedback regarding Committee agendas and the strategic sessions
currently held quarterly. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested the quarterly strategic sessions work well
but there is not enough dialogue and suggested that a portion of the meeting be set aside for
professional development and discussion. Mayor Zehr agreed suggesting less presentations and
more discussion with the possibility of holding more meetings away from City Hall. C. Ladd
suggested that the current Standing Committee agendas could on occasion be split to allow for
strategic discussion and Council may consider holding off-site meetings. Mayor Zehr advised that in
the past Council has attempted to hold off-site meetings and the logistics involved in doing so made it
very difficult with no increase in public attendance. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested that perhaps a
webcast or direct network link could be used to broadcast Committee and Council meetings to
various locations in the community centres. He asked if the proposal put forward by Rogers Cable to
install robotic cameras and equipment was still moving forward. Mr. R. Gosse, Director of Legislated
Services & City Clerk, advised that the proposal has stalled due to a disagreement regarding the
contract between Rogers and the City and that Rogers Cable has also withdrawn their offer to provide
funding for the cabling of the Council Chamber. Council generally agreed that the installation of
cameras and equipment in the Council Chamber may have future opportunities and suggested that
staff continue negotiating in order to implement the proposal. Mayor Zehr suggested that in respect
to the suggestion of holding strategic dialogue at some of the Standing Committee meetings, that the
proposal could be tried and if fruitful, could form a regular part of the Committee meetings.
Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic
Seconded by Councillor G. Lorentz
"That an in-camera meeting be held for the purposes of educating and / or training members of
Council as authorized under Section 239 (3.1) of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended."
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Carried.
MAYOR CLERK