Council Info - December 16, 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.

Plan and budget unveiled to lead the region beyond the pandemic

Region staff highlighted an exciting proposed 2021 Budget Plan: Beyond COVID-19 and gathered community input at today’s budget public meeting. The public can still give feedback online through engagewr.ca/2021-budget until December 20. The final budget will be approved on Jan. 20, 2021.

Region of Waterloo to receive additional Safe Restart funding

The Ontario government has issued another round of funding to municipalities as part of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement. The Region of Waterloo will receive $5,644,000 to help with the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be incorporated into the Region’s 2021 budget plan.

Sharps retrieval pilot expands beyond Cambridge

A successful sharps retrieval pilot project that began in Cambridge will expand to other areas of Waterloo Region in January. The Working to Improve Neighbourhood Safety (WINS) pilot is led by the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Sanguen Health Centre. Positive outcomes from phase one included: the removal of sharps, employment for people experiencing barriers to the traditional job market, and positive relationships with local businesses and residents in the Galt community. Phase two will see the program expanded to other areas of the region and will involve working groups with members from area municipalities and other community partners. Since 2016, Public Health has worked with community partners through the Harm Reduction Disposal Work Group to improve disposal of harm reduction equipment in Waterloo Region.

Tenders/Contracts:   

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

• $1,095,758 to Finnbilt General Contracting Limited for Strange St. well upgrades, Kitchener.
• $1,008, 593 to Serv-U-Clean Inc. for janitorial services at the Waterloo Regional Police Service for a three year term.
• $421,834 to Strongco Corporation for one L-150 Volvo Loader.

For more information contact:

TJ Flynn, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, tflynn@regionofwaterloo.ca

Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400