Council Info – November 25, 2020

Council Info is a summary of major discussion items presented at Council meetings - circulated immediately following each meeting. You are encouraged to quote from and/or copy this information. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

Council approves developer for alternative housing in Cambridge

Regional Council has approved a plan to develop six one-bedroom units of alternative housing in Cambridge. NOW Housing/Masters of Building Assembly will build the units at 127-161 Bechtel Street, a Regionally-owned community housing property (Waterloo Region Housing). The units will cost just over one million dollars to develop and will be funded through one-time grants from the provincial or federal government. WRH will own and operate the units. The design and green space surrounding the development will be determined based on input from WRH tenants living in the surrounding apartment buildings.

Council passes motion over concerns to the Conservation Authorities Act and Planning Act

Council unanimously passed a motion introduced by Councillor Helen Jowett, Chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority, that the Province of Ontario work with conservation authorities to address concerns over proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities and Planning Act. Changes to these Acts could remove or limit the conservation authority’s ability to establish programs and provide services that manage watershed natural resources and ensure people and property are safe from natural hazards. The Region of Waterloo values the Grand River Conservation Authorities’ work to ensure safe drinking water and prevent and manage the impacts of flooding and other natural hazards.

Budget strives to lead the region beyond the pandemic

Highlights of the Region’s proposed 2021 Budget Plan: Beyond COVID-19, was the focus of today’s budget committee meeting. Community members are asked to provide input at the budget public meeting on Dec. 16, 2020 or online through engagewr.ca/2021-budget. Visit the engage page for more information on budget focus areas and the Regions plan beyond the pandemic.

Council approves current Regional Council composition

Council voted to affirm the current composition of Regional Council as required by the Municipal Act. Council will continue as a 16 member council consisting of one Regional Chair, seven Mayors, two Cambridge Councillors, four Kitchener Councillors and two Waterloo Councillors. The Municipal Act requires the Region to review the number of members of Council representing each area municipality after every second election. The next review will follow the 2026 municipal election.

Council moves forward with service review recommendations

Council approved budget adjustments to the following services areas: museum services; specialized public transit; facilities and multimedia services. Budget adjustments range from reduced hours and functions to terminating leased space agreements.

Council to discuss future of children’s centres on Dec. 2

Regional Council will discuss the future of the Region of Waterloo’s five licensed child care centres at a Special Council meeting on Dec. 2, 2020. This follows a public meeting held Nov. 18 to gather feedback from the community on the proposed recommendations.

 Tenders/Contracts:   

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

• $ 3,337,044.27 to Sierra Infrastructure Inc. for Zone 1W Trunk Watermain work in Cambridge.
• $1,104,390.00 to Brenntag Canada Inc., $701,610.00 to Lavo and $313,425.00 to FloChem Ltd. for supply of Water Treatment Chemicals. all for a three (3) year term commencing January 1, 2021 with two (2) one (1) year renewal options at an estimated three (3) year total cost of $2,119,425.00.
• $162,500.00 to Atlas Copco for the Kitchener Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Plant 2 Aeration Equipment Service Contract for a five (5) year term.
• $365,400.00 to Innovative Surface Solutions Canada for the Supply and Delivery of De-icing Liquid Winter Maintenance Materials for a three year term commencing January 1, 2021.
• $185,000.00 to Silver Fox Pharmacy and $17,000.00 to Medical Pharmacies Group Limited for the Supply & Delivery of Pharmaceuticals for Paramedic Services.

Upcoming Meetings

Special Council meeting: Dec. 2, 2020 6 p.m.

Public Consultation virtual open house for King Victoria Transit Hub: December 3, 2020 6-8 p.m. Visit engagewr.ca/king-victoria-transit-hub

Council meeting: Dec.16, 2020 7 p.m.

For more information contact:

T.J. Flynn, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, 519-575-3301

Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400