Council Info – January 20, 2021
2021 Regional Plan and budget approved to lead the region beyond the pandemic
Council approved a budget increase of 0.51 per cent today as part of a plan to lead the region beyond COVID-19. Council’s vision, created with major input from residents, also reflects the realities of life for our diverse community as it moves through the COVID-19 pandemic.
A purpose built plan and budget continues to prioritize Council’s vision through investment in:
- A Thriving Economy
- Sustainable Transportation
- Environment and Climate Action
- Healthy Safe and Inclusive Communities
- Responsive and Engaging Public Service
- Our People
As the Region works towards creating a community that is safe, welcoming and inclusive, Council continues to focus on affordable housing, supporting our most vulnerable and addressing inequities.
And as the Region continues to lead the community through the pandemic, Council has also prioritized supports for local businesses and ongoing management of the pandemic.
Council passes motion adding eight more speed enforcement cameras
To help ensure all regional and municipal roadways within Waterloo region are safe for all roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and drivers; Council passed a motion to add eight more of the original 24 speed enforcement camera locations at school sites be installed by September 2021. This also includes one mobile camera unit to be rotated to other locations, identified by municipalities, and based on data analysis, to better inform a further Phase 2 expansion.
Council advocates for municipal police services reform
Currently, under the Police Services Act, municipalities in Ontario cannot direct or in any way involve themselves in the activities of municipal police services. Regional Council passed a motion to make the following requests of the Province of Ontario regarding police service changes.
- The Province of Ontario increase funding to social services including mental health and homelessness and housing services.
- The Province of Ontario adopt a tiered policing system that allows for more duties to be performed by Special Constables and other new classifications of police personnel.
- The Province of Ontario amend the interest arbitration system to establish ability to pay and equity comparisons to all public sector personnel groups as eligible considerations for arbitrators.
- The Province of Ontario not eliminate but greatly reduce the opportunity for suspension with pay of police personnel whose conduct warrants suspension.
- The Province of Ontario amend the Police Services Act to give municipalities greater control over the budgets and the activities of the police services they are responsible for funding.
Council approves investments in affordable housing
Council approved the immediate use of $3 million dollars of the $10 million dollars currently in the proposed 2021 budget, to support a request for proposals for a strategic investment in affordable housing as soon as possible. More than 6,000 households are on the Region’s wait list and rent is increasingly less affordable for many mid-income earners.
Council approves support for vulnerable local businesses
Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on local businesses, Council passed a motion to support the most vulnerable businesses and our most impacted workforce during these uncertain times as we continue to navigate through the pandemic and economic recovery through a temporary $3 million “COVID-19 Economic Recovery Reserve Fund”. Council will review reports in the spring on the proposed investments and an implementation plan to support businesses in 2021 and 2022.
Council approves investments in upstream funding for entire community
Council voted to spend $250,000 to facilitate a community conversation and action plan for a citizen led community safety program and upstream funding strategy for future consideration by Regional Council.
Tenders/Contracts:
The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:
- $6,265,550.00 to Directrik Inc. for primary clarifier mechanism equipment for the Kitchener Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- $1,001,983.00 to Selectra Inc. for electrical and controls upgrades at the Pinebush Water Treatment Plant.
- $1,071,257.00 to JASS Construction for Waterloo Region Housing Window Replacement – Phase 2
- $736,907.00 to Toromont CAT for the refurbishment of one (1) D8 CAT Dozer.
- $170,260.00 to Toromont CAT Power Systems for generator replacement at the Howard Pumping Station.