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Council Info April 22, 2020

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

Council approves changes to 2020 programs and services due to COVID-19

Regional staff reported the results of a financial assessment and offered recommendations to help manage financial impacts of the ongoing pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a significant disruption to certain user fee based programs, resulting in significant revenue shortfalls. User fee revenue shortfalls totalling approximately $4.8 million per month are from less transit fares; waste tipping fees; housing rent; child care fees; planning application fees; airport charges; museum admissions, provincial offences revenue, library services and more. In other program areas, additional expenses are expected, including: housing; income support; discretionary benefits; and homelessness - however these may be offset by funding announced from both federal and provincial governments.

The Region will realize savings from a number of cost containment measures during the pandemic period such as: service reductions; hiring freezes for approximately 70 non-critical staff and summer student positions; and will have issued approximately 350 temporary lay-off notices to staff in areas such as transit services, regional libraries, museums, and some clerical staff by early May.

During the pandemic, the operating shortfall is estimated at $2 million per month.

Council approved the following changes due to financial impacts of COVID-19:

  • Defer the planned 2020 Grand River Transit two per cent fare increase until further notice;
  • Defer the planned elimination of age-based transit service discounts until further notice;
  • Not to proceed with two planned conventional urban bus service expansions and one conventional rural bus service expansion in 2020;
  • Amend the 2020-2029 Transit Services capital program.

The Region plans to request that the Federal and Provincial Governments establish a municipal financial assistance program to offset the significant financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stage 2 ION enters the Transit Project Assessment (TPA) Process Phase

Regional Council has accepted the preliminary design for Stage 2 ION from Kitchener to Cambridge and asked staff to proceed to the TPA phase. The preliminary design was presented to the public in November, 2019. The meeting was well attended and there continues to be much positive feedback and excitement about the project. Cambridge Council has requested that the detailed design be completed as soon as possible to support on-going planning work and to encourage development along the LRT route. The preliminary design is at a very functional level to begin understanding the scopeof the project. Initial property impacts have been identified, but much more work will need to be undertaken before knowing the final scope, and costs.

Region approves property sales as affordable housing units

Council approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) be released to provide non-profit housing organizations the opportunity to purchase three surplus properties on Mill Street, Kitchener. The Region will conduct one draw for 24 Mill Street and one for both 32 and 34 Mill Street to qualified non-profits to use as affordable housing rental units.  

Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank gets loading zone 

At the request of the City of Cambridge and due to a citizen’s concern about safety, the Region will be installing a 15-minute loading zone in front of the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank located at 54 Ainslie Street South. Signage and pavement markings will be revised this Spring as soon as the weather permits.

Tenders/Contracts:         

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

  • $8,742,022 to Capital Paving Inc. for Fischer-Hallman Road improvements from Rockwood Road to Strasburg Creek and Strasburg Creek Culvert, as well as $538,700 to facilitate work undertaken on behalf of the City of Kitchener.
  • $4,386,039 to Capital Paving Inc. for Victoria Street Multi-Use Trail from Bruce Street to Centennial Road, City of Kitchener.
  • $3,823,511 to Sierra Infrastructure Inc. for reconstruction of Northumberland Street from CPR Tracks to Stanley Street, Township of North Dumfries, Ayr.
  • $2,065,391 to Rowland Emergency Vehicle Products Inc. for 42 Stryker Power Cots for Paramedic Services.
  • $479,450 to JWC Environmental Inc. for Hauled Wastewater Receiving Station equipment for the Manitou Wastewater Residual Management Centre.
  • $311,500 to PowerPlan Canada ULC for Phase 2 of the Decision Support Software configuration and implementation.

 

 

Next Council Meeting
May 13, 2020 at 7 p.m.


For more information, contact:
Bryan Stortz, Director, Corporate Communications, bstortz@regionofwaterloo.ca

Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400